A new health programme aimed at reducing pressures on mainstream care and community services has launched in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) has awarded a £1.4m contract to Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to work with primary and community care services over two years.

The Link Worker programme will see 20 full-time equivalent workers attached to 30 general practices across the city.

SAMH chief executive Billy Watson said: "This new service is great news for the people of Aberdeen which will see patients who are seeking help and support in their GP surgery gain quicker access to a wider range of community support and resources which hopefully will lead to improved outcomes for people.

"We look forward to working with GPs, patients and the wider community to bring the link worker programme to fruition."