A HEALTH board is helping patients with money worries.

NHS Lanarkshire is training its staff to identify people who need benefits advice.

The health board has linked up with local authorites to help promote the changes to the benefits system.

Welfare advisor Alison Dowling said: "Money worries not only have a financial impact on people, they can also have a massive health impact.

"As a health promoting organisation, we want our staff to be aware of people in these situations and be equipped to signpost or refer them to the relevant support services which can help them."