Social prescribing referrals triple in three years

There was an average of 34 referrals recorded per month in the second half of 2023

Monthly referrals for social prescribing have tripled over the last three years, a health report has found.

The Health Improvement Commission said the Bailiwick Social Prescribing (BSP) pilot scheme had been "successfully integrated" into healthcare since its launch in 2021.

Social prescribing aims to help the health and wellbeing of patients by connecting them to community resources and activities.

More than 300 people were referred to BSP in 2023 with an average of 34 referrals per month in the second half of the year.

The scheme prescribes patients with non-medical issues that are impacting their health access to a range of activities - from physical activity, crafts, singing and green volunteering.

The report identified a shortage of link workers, which was making it challenging to meet demand.

A total of 96% of eligible GPs referred patients to the alternative to medical treatment, with 88% of them rating it extremely important to the local health system.

Referral reasons cited by health practitioners ranged from mental wellbeing, social isolation, health behaviours and employment.

The report found BSP was having a positive impact with 61% of people who engaged having fewer GP appointments in the 12 months after the prescription, compared to the 12 months before.

'Rapid improvements'

Deputy Marc Leadbeater, vice-president of the Committee for Health and Social Care, said: "This partnership working with the third sector is helping transform how we manage health and wellbeing from a focus on ill health to a wider consideration of what constitutes better health for islanders.

"I am confident that this will contribute to enhance the health and wellbeing of islanders for years to come."

GP Dr Piers Mitchell said the scheme had helped to "address health issues where the underlying problem is a practical, social or emotional difficulty in someone’s life".

He said: "Prior to BSP we used to struggle to help in these situations, resulting in people developing physical and mental health problems and requiring additional medication.

"Now we are able to refer to BSP, it is wonderful to see the rapid improvements in physical and mental wellbeing in our patients by providing solutions that could only be provided through social prescribing."

'Brought fun back'

One patient, who did not want to be name, said she was referred to BSP as she was recovering from a stroke which reduced mobility and her independence.

With help she was able to start cycling again and regain confidence to take the bus.

She said: "Being able to use buses opens up so many possibilities for me... and the cycling class enabled me to see I can still enjoy it despite my challenges".

A second anonymous patient said they had chronic pain and low wellbeing and BSP enabled him to join a local sports club they now attend two to three times a week.

He said: "BSP has helped me a lot and brought fun back into my life.

"It has increased my self-confidence and stopped me from looking at my four walls every night."