The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) has been designated as the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Social Prescribing Policy and Development, recognising the United Kingdom’s global leadership in the field.
The designation demonstrates the increasingly important role that social prescribing is playing within global policy development, as WHO accelerates efforts to embed community-based, preventative approaches across health and care systems.
Designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre is a mark of excellence, recognising institutions with outstanding scientific leadership, strong national standing and a proven track record. As a Collaborating Centre, NASP will work in partnership with WHO to support health systems worldwide to develop effective social prescribing programmes. This builds on NASP’s work with governments, health systems and partners in over 30 countries and on the success of the social prescribing model.
England was the first country to make social prescribing a national health policy. Across the country, more than one million patients are now referred each year by GPs to Social Prescribing Link Workers, who have the time to understand the social factors influencing people’s health – including loneliness, isolation, debt, unemployment and housing problems – and connect them with community-based support. Evidence shows social prescribing can improve health and wellbeing, and reduce pressure on wider health services.
This recognition reflects the work of NASP in supporting countries around the world to develop social prescribing programmes, and is a testament to the progress made in England over recent years.
Social prescribing is crucial in shifting care from treatment to prevention, and an internationally replicated component of neighbourhood health. We look forward to working with even more international partners to help embed social prescribing as a core part of health systems globally.
Addressing the social factors that influence people’s health is essential to improving population health and reducing inequalities. The United Kingdom has led the way in the development of social prescribing, and NASP has been at the heart of this progress. NASP plays an invaluable role in promoting what works and sharing best practice globally, and we look forward to working closely with them as a WHO Collaborating Centre.
As a WHO Collaborating Centre, NASP will:
• Provide technical support to WHO in uniting and mobilising Member States to share global best practice in social prescribing
• Support WHO in building and promoting the global evidence base for social prescribing
• Assist WHO in responding to Member State requests for guidance on implementing social prescribing mechanisms.
Dr Bogdan Chiva Giurca will be the Head of the Collaborating Centre and continue his extensive work advising international governments and partners.
Through this new partnership, NASP will continue to champion social prescribing as a vital approach to improving health, wellbeing and equity, ensuring that learning from England’s experience benefits communities across the world.
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) is the national charity championing social prescribing in England. Its work includes:
- Connecting the social prescribing system, through training and
consultancy, resources and a Champions scheme for NHS workers. - Creating innovative partnerships, from local to international.
- Boosting investment for frontline organisations delivering social
prescribing, including through the Power of Music Fund and the Green Social Prescribing programme. - Building the evidence base, working with academics and experts around the world.
- Raising the profile of social prescribing.
WHO Collaborating Centres are institutions designated by the World Health Organization to support its programmes and priorities.
