GPs across London are recognising that clinical prescribing medication may not be the only way nor the most effective way to treat health conditions.
Social Prescribing is a holistic way of looking at health by recognising how a range of socio-economic factors can impact general wellbeing.
Today, the London Assembly Health Committee releases its consultation response to the Mayor’s Social Prescribing Vision. The response sets out a ten-year vision for how to embed social prescribing across London.
The recommendations include:
- More should be done to help Londoners understand what social prescribing is and its benefits
- The Mayor’s vision must reach out to underrepresented groups and explain in detail how it will do so
- Consider social investors as a means of getting upfront investment for social prescribing
Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee said:
“Social prescribing will see the NHS help people get advice with finances or housing, or take part in community groups and activities.
“In some cases, it is more effective than more traditional and clinical forms of prescribing, and in many cases it is most effective to use both traditional and clinical prescriptions alongside social prescribing.
“Utilising both these approaches means that people are treated holistically; with all aspects of their life and their health taken into account. Evidence has also shown that social prescribing could help to save the NHS money in the long run, by addressing the underlying and social factors behind ill health and empowering people to lead healthier lifestyles.
“It is a step in the right direction that the Mayor recognises social prescribing as a potentially a winning approach to healthcare in London. However, the vision should be mindful of groups in society who are underrepresented or don’t know what social prescribing is at all.
“To keep Londoners healthy, we must have a multi-faceted approach. Social prescribing should be seen as another string in the bow of health services.”
Related documents
London Assembly response to Mayor's Social Prescribing vision
Notes to editors
- The Health Committee’s response to the Mayor’s Social Prescribing Vision consultation is attached.
- Watch a video to more about social prescribing in action here.
- Onkar Sahota AM, Chairman of the Health Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- London Assembly Health Committee
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Funmi Olutoye on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.