Social prescribing is a way for primary care staff and other agencies to refer patients to a link worker. These are highly trained and have time to explore the person’s health and wellbeing needs in a more holistic way.
They can connect them to community groups and services for support. In particular, those with mental health problems, complex needs, multiple long-term conditions, or who are socially isolated, might benefit.
The link workers explore what really matters to the individual, and work in collaboration with local partners. Examples of social prescribing options include volunteering groups, financial advice services, group learning, arts activities and a range of sports. Green social prescribing entails linking people to more nature-based interventions such as local walking groups, gardening communities, and food-growing projects.
Studies have previously pointed to improvements in quality of life and emotional, mental and general wellbeing, alongside reduced levels of depression and anxiety from social prescribing. However, a review of eight studies in October 2022 suggested there was no consistent evidence that social prescribing improves social support, physical function, or reduces use of primary health services, and only limited evidence that it improves subjective assessment of personal health or quality of care received.
However, the authors do acknowledge that social prescribing is designed to be different depending on the needs of the person and the resources in the local area, so determining if it works or doesn’t work on a larger scale is difficult.
Overall, social prescribing is thought to be a more holistic way to address health issues beyond purely medical interventions, and patients have reportedly found it helpful for their mental and emotional wellbeing.
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Asked by: Charlotte Lee, via email
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