Local GPs and community groups join forces for Social Prescribing, to help prevent patients becoming ill

Over 25 community organisations came together at Albrighton Medical Practice to find out more about Social Prescribing – how they can work with the local GP practice to help prevent residents from becoming ill or better manage their health condition.

The event which took place on at the end of  January 2018, and forms part of a joint project between Shropshire Council and Albrighton Medical Practice to bring the new service known as Social Prescribing to the town.

Social Prescribing

What is Social Prescribing?

It is estimated that around 20% of patients consult their GP for what is primarily a social problem.

Social Prescribing is the overall term used for non-medical services and referral pathways. In essence, it offers a non-clinical/non-medical intervention to patients, and usually involves a referral by a GP or clinician to a ‘link’ worker.  The overall aim is to prevent worsening health for people with long-term health conditions, reduce the number and intensity of costly interventions in urgent or specialist care, and offer an alternative to those people with non-medical conditions presenting at GP practices.

Social Prescribing in Albrighton

The Social Prescribing role requires someone with the necessary skills and experience to be able to communicate and engage with individuals effectively to understand their needs and to engage and motivate them into action, as well as co-ordinate the prescription process and monitoring.

Attendees at the Social Prescribing event were given the opportunity to find out more about Social Prescribing and think about whether they would like to provide activities to support improvements in people’s health and well-being. It was a vibrant and interesting meeting and groups heard from the local GP, listened to information on the health issues affecting local people, as well as hearing about the potential benefits of getting more involved in social prescribing .

Social Prescribing in Albrighton

Sandie Jackson, Operations Manager from the Albrighton Trust, Moat and Gardens, who attended the event, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the Albrighton Social Prescribing project. We have seen the improvements to people’s health when they spend time outdoors, working with others and socialising while enjoying the benefits of the natural world. We look forward to welcoming new people to the Moat and our friendly team.”

Dr Matthew Bird of Albrighton Medical Practice added:

“This is a really exciting project for Albrighton. We’ve had really enthusiastic support from Shropshire Council.”

Social Prescribing forms part of Shropshire’s Healthy Lives programme, which supports individuals, families and communities to take more control over their health and reduce their risk of chronic disease. The scheme also links to the Resilient Communities work being undertaken by Shropshire Council with the support of NHS colleagues and voluntary sector organisations who are working together to design targeted interventions and activity in localities. The aim of this work is to connect up people and activities in our neighbourhoods so that they all know more about what is going on, and have the choice and opportunity to get involved in the things they are interested in, and which can make people happier and healthier.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, added:

“Many people are in situations that have a detrimental effect on their health, and often people want to improve their situation but need support and motivation in order to make a positive change.

“Social Prescribing can often provide a better option for a patient to help improve their well-being by linking them with health-promoting activities and services and support programmes in their neighbourhood. The service also negates the need for more costly and unnecessary clinical interventions, therefore helping to reduce dependence on health and social care services.”

If you are a local organisation or individual who would like to know more about Social Prescribing and how to get involved email shropshiretogether@shropshire.gov.uk.

For information on how you can help improve your health and well-being visit www.healthyshropshire.gov.uk. For information on local activities and services to help you stay well, in your area visit www.shropshirechoices.org.uk/resourcedirectory/.

Further information

Social Prescribing is one of eight areas in the Healthy Lives programme which is currently being trialled in Oswestry and other parts of Shropshire. Other areas of the programme, include falls prevention, carers, NHS checks, Safe and Well visits, diabetes, cardiovascular disease prevention, and mental health. 

Why do we need Social Prescribing?

There is increasing national interest across the health and care system in Social Prescribing for good reasons. Some of these are about challenges, and some of them stem from taking a wider view of how to support patients. Current challenges facing the NHS, social care and longer term health needs of the population include the following:-

• Increasing pressures on GP practices – attendances and increasing complexity of patient needs
• Increasing pressures on hospital services
• Increasing pressures on adult social care services
• Growing burden of disease in relation to long-term conditions
• Growing burden of mental health
• A growing ageing population
• Reduction in resources across the public sector
• Growing health inequalities.

The most recent research highlights that primary care is seeing increasing numbers of patients presenting with more complex health conditions and including social needs which many GPs do not feel able to deal with: (NHS Alliance Audit 2017).

How does Social Prescribing work?  

Social Prescribing usually involves the following:-

• A healthcare professional or social care professional usually makes the referral to a link worker or social prescribing adviser (different programmes use different terms  – facilitator, co-ordinator, link worker, navigator)
• One to one support provided (via a non clinical role) to identify needs or issues that impact on well-being. Time essential at this point. The meeting may take place in the GP practice, or local community setting
• Support is then provided by the link worker and a ‘prescription’ identified for ongoing referral to community-based activities (ranging from debt advice, employment advice, peer support groups, self care, exercise programmes, volunteering activities). The range varies by locality
• Follow up and ongoing support
• Recording and feedback to the referrer on the outputs and outcomes
• Promotion of self-management and resilience is central through development of skills and personal change.