Bridge Builders (NHS Lothian)

Who is this for?

Our programme is open to anyone who would benefit from having a volunteer attend their appointment with them. Please refer to the patient information leaflet regarding the volunteer’s role and boundaries. This support may be helpful for those who: are attending an appointment alone and would prefer some company, had difficulty attending appointments in the past, feel unsure about where to go or how to get to the right place, would benefit from talking things through before or after the appointment.

Description

Attending hospital appointments can sometimes feel stressful or overwhelming, especially if you are unsure of where to go or what to expect. You might feel more at ease having someone else with you. Bridge Builders is a new initiative at NHS Lothian where volunteers accompany people who may benefit from extra support to attend and engage in their outpatient appointments. Inspired by a successful model in Denmark and developed by NHS Lothian’s Voluntary Services and Medical Education Directorate, this programme aims to reduce barriers to accessing care and improve the patient experience. Please see our patient information leaflet for further information.

Bridge Builders are volunteers who are studying for a career in healthcare. They are compassionate, motivated individuals who want to make a difference in people’s healthcare experiences. All Bridge Builder volunteers complete mandatory training and attend ongoing supervision. They are trained and supervised by NHS Lothian staff within the Voluntary Services Team and Medical Education Directorate. Volunteers are members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and abide by NHS confidentiality and data protection policies.

How do I access this?

• Self referral
• Referral by third party

We accept referrals from healthcare professionals and self-referrals. Please get in touch by email or telephone.

Location information

We can offer support at any NHS outpatient sites based in Edinburgh. This includes the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Astley Ainslie, Leith Community Treatment Centre, The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion etc.