Agenda item

The Head of Service (HoS), Community Solutions presented a report on ‘social prescribing’ in the borough, a term used to describe a process whereby healthcare professionals may refer their patients to local, non-clinical services to meet their wellbeing needs. Local Primary Care Networks (PCNs) had received funding for developing their social prescribing programme and had agreed to fund the Council to provide their social prescribing service following a six-month pilot. GPs may refer residents to the programme under the categories below; however, if other needs were identified, additional support could be put into place:

·  Healthy lifestyles;

·  Housing;

·  Money and debt;

·  Employment and further education;

·  Social isolation;

·  Family support;

·  Substance misuse;

·  Mental health; and

·  Domestic abuse.

In response questions, the HoS stated that:

·  The programme would have links to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service in the near future, after link workers had been trained and upskilled; and

·  The aim was for residents to be able to refer themselves to the service (without a GP referral) eventually.

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration stated that this model was a new and exciting way forward, which showed that PCNs had faith in the Council to deliver an excellent service. The Committee strongly supported the service which would encourage GPs to think about the potential non-medical causes behind their patient’s symptoms, as drugs would not always be the best solution, and residents would also be helped out of situations which were contributing negatively to their general wellbeing.

The Chair thanked the HoS and suggested that he update the Committee in a few months’ time on the progress made within the service and the outcomes achieved for residents.