Social Prescription

What is a Social Prescription Link Worker?

A Social prescriber will provide non-medical support to help patients access community support networks, activities and social groups that may help improve emotional & physical health and their general overall well-being.

A GP may be the first to realise that the patient’s needs do not always come in a tube or a pill bottle prescription. It often starts with a conversation that identifies the patient as stressed, lonely or isolated. The introduction of social prescribing to the primary care networks provides patients with the benefit of a holistic personalised care plan with shared decision-making that can be improved by looking at both health and social needs.

Social prescription is part of NHS England Personalised care program https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare.

A typical referral may include:

• Physical and emotional well-being support
• Learning new skills / educational / Creative Workshops
• Support getting back to work or volunteering opportunities.
• Support groups for specific Long-Term Conditions, disabilities, and their carers
• Signposting to professional services around benefit entitlements, housing, and debt advice
• Tackle loneliness and prevent social isolation with befriending services, social groups and activities.

This is done by giving the patient plenty of time to explore interests and options available within the wider community by asking: "What matters to you?" Instead of asking what's the matter with you?”

Once a patient has consented and a 1:1 appointment takes place, available options are explored, and a plan is formulated which will be reviewed periodically.  Support can last anything from 1 week up to 6 months depending on the individual’s needs and the complexity of the situation, we will be there throughout your journey. Onward referrals can be made to several community services that provide physical and emotional support to enhance your plan.

Social Prescription works closely with Health & well-being Coaching, support can also be gained by attending co-produced webinars and group sessions, such as the women’s health program, which covers topics around menopause, health screening, anxiety, mindfulness, healthy eating, exercise, and the ShinyMind low-level mental health & wellbeing App. The development of group programs remains ongoing, particularly where health inequalities have been identified within Hatters Health PCN and the wider community.

Hatters Health PCN Health and Wellbeing team work closely together to provide optimal care to empower patients to achieve realistic goals that have been identified and agreed upon. Patients recognised as more vulnerable will be discussed at Hatters Health MDT meetings. Where needed, clinical health checks and medication reviews will be agreed upon and carried out by the Care Coordinator and Pharmacy Teams as part of the patient’s personalised care planning.

Patients can request a referral via the surgery receptionist or self-refer to the Total Wellbeing Social Prescription team by calling 0300 555 4152 or emailing info@totalwellbeingluton.org