From ‘NATIONAL VOICES’
“We are committed to supporting the big changes that are needed across our health system, including helping the NHS shift towards enabling people and communities to live well, rather than just treating ill-health. This commitment drives our interest in social prescribing and our determination to make the most of the significant investment NHS England is making in link worker roles in primary care.
We shouldn’t underestimate the significance of this NHS investment, but we know that social prescribing doesn’t hinge on one role. Instead, it relies on a wider “ecosystem” that encompasses groups, activities and services from the most formal to the least, from large to small, from a national to hyper-local level across many sectors.”
Charlotte Augst
We spent time talking to the wide range of stakeholders who make up this ecosystem, and asked them what would help them play a part in building it. Our report, produced in partnership with New Philanthropy Capital – sets out what we found.
James Anderson
“The key message is that social prescribing is still not well known or understood, so people don’t see why they should be part of the conversation. It is often thought of as “niche”, and there is not enough focus on where it fits within and how it contributes to the big picture strategic change we want to see.
The establishment of integrated care systems creates opportunities to build the kind of cross-sector partnerships we need to plan, build and fund the wider community capacity that social prescribing taps into. Our report says local partners need to be clear about what’s expected of them, but that they must be given the space to build structures that work for them, starting from what’s already strong. Gaps in areas like data sharing also make it harder to demonstrate where social prescribing support is needed and what difference it can make.”
This isn’t the easiest time to be pushing new agenda. The pressures on all sectors are enormous. However, the shift that social prescribing embodies – away from formal health services towards people and communities – is more urgently needed than ever.
We’d love to hear your reflections on the report or on the blog from me and James Sanderson, Director of Personalised Care at NHS England. Please reach out via info@nationalvoices.org.uk.
Kind Regards,
Charlotte Augst
Chief Executive
charlotte.augst@nationalvoices.org.uk
