The Pathways Advisory Service: Placing employment advisers in GP surgeries

Apart from the innovative measure of physically locating advisers in surgeries, a distinctive feature of the pilot has been the adoption of a 'gateway' model of delivery, where advisers act as a link, or 'gateway', between patients at a surgery and the range of services and support available through Jobcentre Plus and other organisations. The research project combined quantitative and qualitative research techniques. A survey of 212 people who had used the pilot service was conducted and in-depth qualitative follow up interviews were carried out with a sub-sample of the survey sample. In addition, qualitative interviews were held with the key people involved in the pilot (including advisers, GPs and other surgery staff).