In a quiet but bold move, the NHS is rolling out a new kind of health worker to knock on doors across some of England’s most deprived areas – and it’s not just for a friendly chat. The idea is to catch health issues before they spiral into emergencies, in the hopes of easing the massive strain on GPs and A&E.
They’re called community health and wellbeing workers (CHWWs), and they’ve already started making rounds in 12 parts of the country, with another 13 soon to follow. These workers don’t come with stethoscopes or white coats – they’re not doctors or nurses – but they’re trained to help residents tackle a wide mix of challenges, from health concerns to housing and money troubles, reported the Independent.
