What is Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is when health professionals refer patients to support in the community, in order to improve their health and wellbeing as part of their overall care.
As part of an initiative by our Primary Care Network, we are now not only able to deal with the medical problems but now also able to refer patients to the social prescribing team in our area, helping patients to take control of their health and wellbeing by giving time to focus on ‘what matters to me’ and building trusting relationships with people to create a shared personalised care and support plan, connecting them to local, diverse and culturally appropriate community groups, VCSE organisations and services.
This service engages people to work on their wider health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, as well as other lifestyle issues such as isolation and low-level mental health concerns by increasing people’s active involvement with their local communities.
Already, through the Coronavirus crisis, the Social Prescribing team have offered invaluable support in a wide range or issues and the PCN is committed to this support going forward.
Non-Medical Support and Advice
The Social Prescribing Link Worker Team work on behalf of all GP Practices in Sunderland to provide non‐medical support and interventions.
They can support with:
- Housing worries
- Money worries
- Being more physically active
- Connecting with others
- Mental & physical wellbeing
- Managing long term conditions
- Weight management
- Preventing future ill health
- Finding local support groups specific to a health condition or
personalised goal
If you need any support, you can now self refer to the team without speaking to the practice – click the following link to self refer: