Social prescribing NHS Consultation
The NHS has launched a consultation about its future. Along with many other organisations, we will be responding to highlight the key role that social prescribing can play.
Our recommendations include:
Expand social prescribing beyond primary care to all NHS care pathways and age groups
Building on the success of the Link Worker roll-out in primary care, social prescribing should be rolled out to all settings, including in secondary and specialist care; for all age groups including children and young people; and across all condition and care pathways. This will require national recognition, guidance, support with implementation and new funding mechanisms.
Maximise the impact of a ‘neighbourhood health service’ by harnessing social prescribing to fully integrate community organisations with the NHS
Social prescribing and neighbourhood health should be at the centre of primary care service provision, building on the successful Link Worker model, with ringfenced funding and clear outcome measures. More NHS services should be co-located and integrated with voluntary, community and faith organisations.
Provide high quality training in social prescribing for the NHS workforce
Training and support for Link Workers should be improved, to maximise the impact of this workforce. There should also be wider training and development on social prescribing for other health and care staff, to enable them to take a social prescribing approach in their care. This training should include a focus on engaging with preventative interventions, including physical activity, nature, arts and heritage and volunteering initiatives.
Increase investment in research and data on community-based prevention - especially social prescribing
Only £1 in every £40 of health research funding is spent on primary prevention, and a smaller proportion of this on community-based preventative approaches. Increased investment in data technologies would improve the assessment of local health needs and health improvements, target support to reduce health inequalities, increase proactive health care, and drive innovation, investment and performance.
Increase the long-term investment into the voluntary sector to create thriving, connected, and resilient communities
To support the shift from hospital to community, Integrated Care Boards should support the establishment of social prescribing shared investment funds, to build greater community capacity to meet the rapidly growing demand for social prescribing activities, resources and advice.
