East Herts Social Prescribing Service Social Prescribing What

East Herts Social Prescribing Service

Social Prescribing – What is it? Social prescribing (community referrals) is a means of enabling primary care services to refer patients with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of nonclinical services.

Aim and Objectives Aim: To reduced GP practices and their staff appointment time for individuals and focus on social, wellbeing and practical need Objectives: • Supports those with one or more long term conditions • Social prescribing activities provided through partner networks • To signpost individuals to engage and strengthen their social and/or health activities. • Enhance community based model which will support a holistic approach

Area of Focus Main focus: Stort Valley and Villages Locality Group Area Secondary focus: Upper Lea Valley Locality Group

Target audience GP identified residents living • with mild depression • experiencing isolation • and/or loneliness

Partner Support • • Identifying suitable partners Understanding their SP offer Value of less visible partners Understanding and enabling capacity

Delivery Mechanism

Next Steps • Work closely with established scheme partially established by HCT and Age UK in Stort Valley and Villages Locality • Compliment the East Herts approach with Hertfordshire STP Prevention model • Develop & enable Partner provision of Social Prescribing Activities • Work with Community Wellbeing and Locality Groups and local delivery partners • Establish local scheme early 2018

What does this mean for you? • Health Professionals will have a greater awareness of the facilities and support provided by your Village Hall • Opportunity to offer classes at non-peak times • Opportunity to be part of the wider national health agenda for Public Health England

Questions Contact: Kathrine Foy Social Prescribing Co-Ordinator Email: kathrine. foy@eastherts. gov. uk Tel: 01992 531472 Twitter: @Public. Health. EHC