Social prescribing: a UK innovation taking the world by storm
Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive
| National Academy for Social Prescribing
“Social prescribing” – an approach first widely implemented by GPs and community leaders in England – has now been adopted in more than 30 countries around the world
Research shows that the social determinants of health – the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age – account for between 30-55 per cent of health outcomes and are a key influence on health inequities1.
It is therefore not surprising that GPs spend around a fifth of their appointment time supporting patients whose health has been affected by non-clinical factors, such as financial problems, poor housing or social isolation2.
GPs may be able to prescribe medication to mitigate the symptoms of these problems, from stress to insomnia. But they clearly do not have the time or expertise to provide debt advice or help patients find new sources of friendship and support in their community.
This is where social prescribing comes in. It is an approach that supports patients to develop non-medical prescriptions, by connecting them to local groups and services that can address the social factors affecting their health and wellbeing.
The NHS adopted social prescribing nationally in 2019, funding GP practices in England to employ Social Prescribing Link Workers to support patients and map local services. Since then, around three million patients have been referred.
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) was also set up as a charity in 2019, supported by the Department of Health and Social Care to lead an evidence-based approach to rolling out and embedding social prescribing. NASP now reaches around 20,000 professionals a year, working closely with the NHS and local communities to innovate and improve services.
Research collated by NASP shows the positive impact of social prescribing, with improvements in health, especially mental health3. It is an approach designed to tackle health inequalities, with people living in areas of higher deprivation far more likely to be referred4.
Because it works for patients, it also takes pressure off the NHS. Last year, NASP brought together system data from nine areas, which showed substantial reductions in GP appointments, A&E attendances and hospital admissions among patients who had been referred. People who had previously been using health services most frequently saw the sharpest reductions5. A range of studies shows wider economic benefits as well.6
It is little wonder that other countries have looked to England and adopted similar models. A few years ago, the term “social prescribing” was virtually unknown globally. Last year, we published a report, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, which showed that social prescribing schemes of different sizes have been launched in 32 countries7. Some health systems are rolling out the approach with a universal offer, for example by making it available to hospital patients in Singapore and through GP practices in the Netherlands. NASP has also worked with partners to support the establishment of national social prescribing networks or institutes in Canada, Australia, Portugal and the USA.
This is a success story for the English health system. What started as a pioneering approach to help drive the NHS towards health prevention has been evaluated, refined and scaled up, and global health leaders regularly visit the UK to learn from what we have achieved.
But for England to remain at the forefront of this change, we must continue to be ambitious and innovative, unleashing creativity while building on what has been achieved. There are many opportunities to do this, such as through the NHS 10-year plan, strategies to get Britain working and the National Youth Strategy.
NASP is actively working with the government to provide the latest research and developments to support this. This includes learning from other countries to ensure we stay ahead of the curve.
Find out more about social prescribing and about NASP’s work at www.socialprescribingacademy.org.uk.
References
1. World Health Organization, Social determinants of health (www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health)
2. Citizens Advice, A very general practice: How much time do GPs spend on issues other than health?
3. National Academy for Social Prescribing (www.socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/read-the-evidence/)
4. National Academy for Social Prescribing, Is social prescribing reaching people in the most deprived areas? (https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/is-social-prescribing-reaching-people-in-the-most-deprived-areas/)
5. O’Connell Francischetto, E. 2024. The impact of social prescribing on health service use and costs: Examples of local evaluations in practice. National Academy for Social Prescribing. (https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/new-report-shows-impact-of-social-prescribing-on-health-service-use-and-costs/)
6. Polley, M., Seers, H., Toye, O., Henkin, T., Waterson, H., Bertotti, M. and Chatterjee, H. 2023. Building the economic evidence case for social prescribing. National Academy for Social Prescribing. (Economic evidence – National Academy for Social Prescribing | NASP)
7. Khan. H, Giurca, B et al. 2024. Social Prescribing Around the World. National Academy for Social Prescribing https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/media/thtjrirn/social-prescribing-around-the-world-2024.pdf
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