Social Prescribing

- By Katie Leslie

From the very first day of medical school, clinicians emphasise to us the importance of recognising that patients’ health and wellbeing are determined by a range of factors and the need to treat them holistically. However, the management section of almost every lecture seems to list drug after drug and nothing else.

Social prescribing provides an alternative to the standard medicines we prescribe. GPs (as well as other doctors, nurses and AHPs) can refer patients to link workers in their community, who can then connect these patients to community groups, classes or activities to help manage their medical conditions. Self-referral is also encouraged. A social prescription can be offered to a vast array of patients, including those struggling with chronic illnesses, mental health issues and complex social needs.1

Social prescribing is essential in providing person-centred care. The need to view patients as individuals and care for them in a way which meets their individual needs cannot be overstated. Social, economic and environmental factors need to be considered in order to treat the patient holistically. Even though a social prescription may not offer a cure for somebody with a chronic illness, it can significantly improve their quality of life as it addresses a wider range of factors than medications alone.

For example, a condition such as depression is often multifactorial and so healthcare professionals need to approach it from many angles. Antidepressant medications can only go so far if the patient’s depression is worsened by their loneliness and lack of mental stimulation. A social prescription for a cooking class, sports club or art activity could provide them with something to look forward to and an opportunity for them to meet like-minded people and develop friendships.

There is growing evidence that social prescribing leads to improved patient wellbeing outcomes. For example, an evaluation of one programme in Shropshire in 2017-19 found that patients reported “statistically significant improvements in measures of wellbeing, patient activation and loneliness. At three-month follow up, it also found that GP consultations among participants were down 40 per cent compared to a control group.”1, 2

Not only does social prescribing help patients, but it also helps the NHS. In a society with an ageing population and a rapid increase in the rate of issues such as loneliness and obesity, there is a huge strain on the healthcare system. Social prescribing can play a vital role in a sustainable future for the NHS, reducing spending on drugs and ameliorating the pressure on GPs. By tackling the causes of a patient’s illness and not just their symptoms, we can significantly lighten the burden for them and for ourselves.3

Social prescribing provides us with another avenue to help patients, allowing us to address the root causes of their conditions and divert NHS resources to the areas which need it most. We must try to understand patients within the context of their own lives and discover which factors could be impacting their wellbeing, and go further than simply prescribing medication if there is an opportunity to address these factors.

1. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/social-prescribing

2. https://42b7de07-529d-4774-b3e1-225090d531bd.filesusr.com/ugd/14f499_131547f575344dcdbf4c8281f80ea18c.pdf

3. https://elementalsoftware.co/why-social-prescribing-plays-a-vital-role-in-the-future-of-the-nhs/