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An evidence review published by members of the HJP team summarised research from across the world on the impacts of health justice partnerships. It found evidence of the following outcomes:
Improves access to legal assistance:
| Referrals from healthcare professionals encourage engagement with legal advice and facilitate access for those who would not otherwise seek help. Patients feel more comfortable seeking help in healthcare environments, which are familiar, trusted and discreet. Healthcare-based legal services facilitate access for those in poor mental and physical health who may lack the capability to pursue legal processes alone.
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Successful resolution of legal problems | Legal advice services are highly successful in achieving positive welfare outcomes, including financial circumstances and housing issues. This reduces financial strain and vulnerability and helps to mitigate against the financial consequences of illness.
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Improvements in social determinants of health | Improved financial circumstances allows greater personal independence and social participation, increases ability to afford fuel and food, and access to paid-for health and care services such as dentistry, eye care and home help. The interventions also increased personal confidence and empowerment, leading to progress in other areas such as ability to engage with health care and other support services |
Improvements in mental wellbeing | Improved material and social circumstances bring about improvements in mental wellbeing, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mental stability, greater peace of mind, improved sleep, increased ability to cope with ill health, and improved general wellbeing and quality of life.
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Support for healthcare services | Partnerships with legal services enable healthcare teams to address non-medical issues that are beyond their expertise, but which impact on health. This allows them to focus on their core role and can save time otherwise spent on welfare issues |
More holistic approach to care | Integrating legal advice in patient care provides more comprehensive support for individuals, improving capacity to respond to patient needs and contributing to a positive patient experience |
Tackling health inequalities | The benefits of legal assistance accrue to those of lower socioeconomic status, given the nature of social welfare legal issues. Where inequalities were investigated, studies suggested more positive effects (both financial and mental health outcomes) among more disadvantaged groups |
Action on systemic issues
| Healthcare-based legal services can contribute to law reform and policy change, utilising their unique expertise at the intersection of health and rights to identify and address legal issues affecting wider populations |