Health and social care organisations in Derbyshire have been working closely together for some time, to improve care and services for people and make them as efficient and effective as possible.
Social prescribing is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other health and care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Recognising that people’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health. The NHS Long Term Plan for England committed to building the infrastructure for social prescribing in primary care as part of the wider approach to personalised care.
Six components of personalised care
Social prescribing is a way of linking people with activities and support in the community. Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. GPs and other agencies can refer people to social prescribing link workers who are funded through Primary Care Networks (PCN), and either employed by the PCN or by another agency, such as a local voluntary sector organisation.
The link workers, through shared decision making and personalised care and support planning, give people time to focus on what matters to them so they can take greater control of their own health. It works well for people with long term conditions; people who are lonely or isolated and people who have complex social needs linked to well-being.
The support that people receive is dictated by the emphasis that each PCN focuses on and whether they are employed by a PCN or by a voluntary sector organisation. The support that link workers can signpost/refer to include: volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.
Social Prescribing in Derby and Derbyshire
The Derby & Derbyshire Social Prescribing Advisory Group (SPAG) was formed in April 2019 to support social prescribing activities across Derby And Derbyshire. Its membership is wide ranging and consists of:
Developments from June 2019
Key features of the Developing Derbyshire Model
Social prescribing enablers
Latest news
The cross sector Derby and Derbyshire Social Prescribing Advisory Group (SPAG) has continued to support all aspects of social prescribing across the JUCD area over the past few months, with some significant developments supported through the well-developed collaborative approach that the group takes. These have included:
What's next
Working with all partners, through SPAG and the shared Derby and Derbyshire Social Prescribing Plan, to develop the capacity for the system to support residents with a wide range of activities and services.
Event presentations
Celebration of social prescribing in Derby and Derbyshire event in October 2020 presentations:
What is social prescribing - Louise Swain
Review of social prescribing - Community Action
Social prescribing at the local level - High Peak CVS
Social prescribing and resilient communities - Sara Bains
Regional learning co-ordinator role - Maria Willis
Website links
The Midlands regional lead is Kerrie Fletcher from Community Action Derby: Email: midlands.thrivingcommunities@nasp.info