GP visits and social prescribing

I urge you to advise the receptionists in the GP to give medical reports on time to the patients needing to present them near the assessment centres, because this may be as a real obstacle to them that they may be referred to job seekers centre, while they are not really fit for work, and another matter that I wish to raise is that we are asked by the GP to pay for the medical report while we are not working, we are receiving benefit, so we would like if you could exempt patient people depending on benefit from paying for these medical reports, thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

There is a good system of Health Trainers in my borough and GPs can refer people for group activities to help them with their health and wellbeing, whether it's some kind of exercise, or even art or gardening for managing mental health. Activities are run by trained and qualified professionals and are very effective. One to one mentoring is also provided. I worked alongside this system as a 'self-care' advisor for a while, which was a university study pilot scheme. I could also advise patients who self referred or were referred by their GP on what they could try and referred some people to the Health Trainers in the centre. I have taken part in some of their activities, for which each area has a regular daily timetable, as I have my own problems and highly recommend the system. Activities were all funded (often by partner organisations) and either free or maybe £1 a session. I would not have been able to take part had they not been local and at minimum cost.

Placing welfare advice services in GP practices (co-location) is one approach to supporting people whose health is affecting, or affected by problems linked to accessing welfare benefits, housing and debt. It is also hoped that such services will ease pressures on practices. For example, by supporting patients to fill out welfare benefit forms that might otherwise be brought to GPs.

CLAHRC North Thames evaluated the impact of co-located welfare advice services in two London boroughs. Through surveys and interviews with patients, medical professionals and advisers, we asked whether and how such services could support patients and GP practices. We compared changes in mental health, financial strain and help-seeking behaviours among people who had received such advice to people that had not. This meant we could be more certain that any improvements were due to the co-located advice.

Among patients receiving advice, we found improved mental health and well-being, and reduced financial strain. Females and people who identified as Black were the most likely to experience improved mental health after receiving advice. Overall, people receiving advice gained £15 per £1 of investment by those funding the service. This gain included welfare income that they were entitled to but missing out on previously, and reorganised debts. The actual gain may be higher as this estimate does not include things like avoiding court fines or housing reposessions.

Our interviews revealed the potential for co-located advice to reduce GP pressures. But, several factors affect whether or not this would happen, such as a lack of awareness of the service amongst GP staff. Regular reminders to practice staff and feedback from the service about how it supports patients, and more clarity about how advisers can support GP work may help.

I hadn't heard of it, but I think it's admirable for the doctor to treat the patient, rather than just the condition. I attend my doctor and hospital for an ongoing condition (rheumatoid arthritis) but generally have been blessed with good health. It is up to the individual, surely, to look after his or her own health, with regard to sensible diet, exercise, avoiding smoking and over-indulgence in alcohol etc. And to pursue interests and cherish friendships. Anyone who can get out and about and be reasonably active has no need to be lonely, bored etc. There is so much to be done! And there are plenty of housebound people who manage their lives well.

I had not heard of social prescribing but what I have read is a good idea. Hobbies and healthy lifestyles really improve quality of health and happyness. My only other input would be to link up with what the council is putting on. Local to myself we have some really great council initiatives for adults such as beginners brass band, choirs, dance etc. etc.

Social prescribing is a 'good thing' but as others are saying, it should not be a substitute for medication if that is what is required to help someone.

Again like others, I find it impossible to get a GP appointment and find the "turn up before 10am and sit and wait until a GP becomes available" system unbearable. Bring back appointments!

It is a good thing but should be used in moderation. GP surgery shouldn't be a point to find information about local activities, it can be done by libraries. But there are some conditions like depression when social prescribing could work as something that the patient has to do in order to continue their treatment, because it may work much better than medication and is cheaper in long term. Patients with depression may not be eager to find any activities by themselves but when GP says, you have to do it, they have no choice.

The NHS is generally respected for providing an excellent service under pressure while our local council social services departments are often seen as incompetent and even evil, sometimes. I think this all stems from the way local councils and, then the NHS, were created. Local councils were responsible for the running of poor houses, where the weak, ill and otherwise dependent people were housed and treated.
With the creation the NHS the opportunity to embrace the whole "Health" subject under one organisation was missed. At that time, the linkage between social, mental and physical health was not fully appreciated and so we have bits of the "Health" subject provided by different organisations with little real coordination or control. One current issue illustrates this quite well - bed blocking, where hospital beds are occupied by patients waiting release to accommodation or care services supposedly provided by local councils.
The idea of local councils being competent to provide social care and services just doesn't gel with my idea of what a local council is meant to be doing e.g. - ensuring, through the planning process, the adequate provision of accommodation for all needs in the borough, keeping the streets clean, running the parks, repairing the roads.
Wouldn't it be better if the NHS was responsible from cradle to grave for the provision of all aspects of our health? This would need a fundamental reorganisation of the NHS to be more locally based, more able to respond to local needs. Local councils would then have a clearer role of ensuring that the care homes and other health facilities get built but let the NHS run them as part of their full life service.
As part of the NHS service, support for non medical issues could then be dealt with by NHS professionals in local day centres, with GPs left to deal with true medical issues. Such support may still need the GP's involvement, but would not necessarily require an actual appointment.
Too radical??

I was involved in social prescribing many years ago. It is not a new thing. A couple of tertiary colleges in Gloucestershire put adult guidance workers into GP practices a couple of days a week. GPs referred suitable patients, generally speaking, depressed and isolated folk. These patients met with the guidance folk and were recommended classes and groups. Matters of suitability, access and travel were all considered.
It's success depended on there being adult classes and groups being funded and on good relations and understanding between GPS, their practice staff and the colleges and support in the community.
How all this could be set up and sustained with dreadful cuts in all such areas I cannot imagine.

Could be useful for some type of problems eg weight reduction, stress relief, reduction of loneliness after retirement or without employment - but should be delat with seaprately to medical needs as it is already impossible to obtain a GP appointment.