Social prescribing

Social prescribing (also known as community referral) is a process through which a person is referred to non-medical, community-based resources or activities, typically involving nature, art, movement, and service. In the UK, a Social Prescribing Link Worker may engage with a patient to support them with a plan which can be a series of signposting or referrals to support in the community, in order to improve their health and wellbeing. The concept has gained support in the NHS organisations of the United Kingdom as well as in Ireland and the Netherlands and forms part of the NHS Long Term Plan. The referral mechanisms, target groups, services offered through social prescribing vary across settings. However, the process usually involves screening for non-medical needs and referrals to support services that are typically offered by community-based organizations.

The goals of social prescribing are to reduce the rise of healthcare costs and easing pressure of general practice clinics. A 2015 Commission in the UK estimated that about 20% of patient consultations were for social problems rather than medical problems. Reporting finds social prescribing has been effective for treating symptoms of depression, ADHD, anxiety, chronic pain, dementia, type 2 diabetes, loneliness, and more.

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