The joint venture between the Tameside and Glossop PCT, Derbyshire County Council, and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), has seen CAB advisors based within surgeries, advising patients and their families about what benefits they are entitled to where appropriate.

Dr Lindsay Palmer, of Lambgates Surgery in Hadfield, said: "This scheme has proven to be invaluable for patients at the surgery. A GP surgery is an environment that people trust, and as such is an ideal place for people to find out about the benefits they need."

Steve Minter, District Manager of High Peak CAB, said: "High Peak CAB has along history of providing advice in GP surgeries. Everyone is registered with a GP. This unique service gives patients access to free, high quality advice on their doorstep."

Derbyshire County Councillor Dave Wilcox welcomed the PCT's forward-looking approach and said: "When the County Council began funding some initial experiments in my electoral division I was confident that we would see positive results.

"We know that some people are reluctant to claim their welfare entitlements, but if a GP is involved they are much more comfortable. I am pleased that something that was previously only available in Hadfield and Gamesley can now be extended to the whole of Glossopdale. A few extra pounds in people's pockets can make a huge difference to their wellbeing."

Financial insecurity affects one family in three, and studies repeatedly show the link between this insecurity and ill-health.

Families facing financial hardship have often presented their financial difficulties to GPs who are not qualified to deal with them.

Bringing CAB advisors into a GP surgery environment means giving families in potential difficulty support at a time when they are most accessible to receiving it, claiming benefits to which they may otherwise have been unaware.

The CAB is looking for a GP surgery in Glossopdale to partner this development.