Social prescribing
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107 Londoners have responded | 30/01/2019 - 30/04/2019
Social prescribing
Social prescribing is about helping people to find ways to improve their health and wellbeing by linking them up with what is going on in their local area. It enables people to access services that meet their wider emotional, physical and social needs.
Together with the Healthy London Partnership, NHS England and the Social Prescribing Network for London and following engagement, City Hall has developed a draft social prescribing vision for London.
We'd love to hear what you think.
Have you heard of social prescribing before and what do you think about it? Do you know if it’s available in your area? Would you use a social prescribing service if it were offered to you?
The discussion ran from 30 January 2019 - 30 April 2019
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Log into your accountAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoBrilliant, so glad this approach is being expanded.
Curious as to where the person offering Social Prescriptions sits within the network of health & social services, and whether there are plans to standardise this structure. Would be...
Show full commentBrilliant, so glad this approach is being expanded.
Curious as to where the person offering Social Prescriptions sits within the network of health & social services, and whether there are plans to standardise this structure. Would be helpful for social prescriptions to sit on integrated health & social care record, so the history can influence care planning in later life.
It's a win-win for gov / NHS saving ££ and public having better quality of life. Exciting!
Show less of commentCareoline
Community Member 6 years agoSeems good; but I did it for a while and felt awkward trying to guess who wanted to be asked if they needed help, and who would be annoyed...because they might have already been asked yesterday.
Perhaps more online and 'phone 'advertising'...
Show full commentSeems good; but I did it for a while and felt awkward trying to guess who wanted to be asked if they needed help, and who would be annoyed...because they might have already been asked yesterday.
Perhaps more online and 'phone 'advertising' would be effective; maybe not cost-effective?
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 6 years agoBut all this has always been on offer in GP surgeries, leaflets and brochures for all this has always been in all of them. Nothing else to do but sit there and read them while waiting and waiting to see the GP. It is getting harder and...
Show full commentBut all this has always been on offer in GP surgeries, leaflets and brochures for all this has always been in all of them. Nothing else to do but sit there and read them while waiting and waiting to see the GP. It is getting harder and harder to persuade a GP that you have a real physical health problem, and that they should do some testing, some diagnositics, and refer to a specialist if necessary. They will do almost anything to avoid making referals to outpatients services. This approach is downright dangerous.
Show less of commentjulesMB
Community Member 6 years agoOn the surface this seems in equal measure a good idea, a cost saving idea, a loony left wing idea and a vanity project.
I question the independence of the concept leaders, Is it but a government mouthpeace that divests itself of national...
Show full commentOn the surface this seems in equal measure a good idea, a cost saving idea, a loony left wing idea and a vanity project.
I question the independence of the concept leaders, Is it but a government mouthpeace that divests itself of national heath accountability or is it a means of building community through shared goals, ilnesses or conditions.
I am suspicious. It sounds like the worthy preaching to the needy, but missing out on the majority. And the majority will be the ones that fund this.
Show less of commentCareoline
Community Member 6 years agoNo - it uses volunteers to do the work.
Show full commentNo - it uses volunteers to do the work.
Show less of commentjulesMB
Community Member 6 years agothanks Caroline. who appoints those running the groups. are they alteristic or are there motives behind their involvement?
I don't trust this idea. It's a cost saving idea first and foremost. If the government want to save money, let them...
Show full commentthanks Caroline. who appoints those running the groups. are they alteristic or are there motives behind their involvement?
I don't trust this idea. It's a cost saving idea first and foremost. If the government want to save money, let them stop giving sexchange operations on the NHS.
Oblige doctors to work soley in the NHS for 10 years after they have qualified.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI’m hearing of this social thing for the first time
Show full commentI’m hearing of this social thing for the first time
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 6 years agoIf you have a local library, a GP surgery, local shops and cafes with signs in the windows, some kind of adult education centre - you will find all sorts of community activities, groups, classes, special support groups. They have always...
Show full commentIf you have a local library, a GP surgery, local shops and cafes with signs in the windows, some kind of adult education centre - you will find all sorts of community activities, groups, classes, special support groups. They have always been there, but there are now far fewer of them, and much of it costs much more than it used to (E.g. Adult education classes). It has just never been co-opted by government before as a substitute for proper diagnoses, referals for tests and referals to appropriate specialisms where necessary.
It is not new, it has just been re-packaged and given a PR spin.
Show less of commentHallsar_Hackney
Community Member 6 years agoI've heard of it as it's been in the news recently. I think it's a very good idea - excellent way not only of improving physical and mental health without it costing the NHS a lot of money, but also of reducing social isolation and...
Show full commentI've heard of it as it's been in the news recently. I think it's a very good idea - excellent way not only of improving physical and mental health without it costing the NHS a lot of money, but also of reducing social isolation and encouraging people to interact more in their local communities and forge local ties.
Show less of commentLMuehlstein
Community Member 6 years agoIt is a wonderful thing and I have heard a lot about it but it is not free. If the charities that provide the services that will be subscribed are to function well, they need to receive funding for their work!
Show full commentIt is a wonderful thing and I have heard a lot about it but it is not free. If the charities that provide the services that will be subscribed are to function well, they need to receive funding for their work!
Show less of commenthampshirehog
Community Member 6 years agoSo when your taxes are increased again do not complain. People need to learn to help themselves, perhaps start going to church. And the charities that operate this all get subsidising grants from the taxpayer.
Show full commentSo when your taxes are increased again do not complain. People need to learn to help themselves, perhaps start going to church. And the charities that operate this all get subsidising grants from the taxpayer.
Show less of commentIan8888888
Community Member 6 years agoI'm lucky enough not to need it myself but I'm all for promoting activities for those who are isolated or stressed. It would help to do this if leisure centres were open longer for example.
Show full commentI'm lucky enough not to need it myself but I'm all for promoting activities for those who are isolated or stressed. It would help to do this if leisure centres were open longer for example.
Show less of commentAmanda2412
Community Member 6 years agoI’ve never heard of it and think it’s a brilliant idea
Sounds like a great way to meet people in the local community , learn new skills and combat lonliness
Show full commentI’ve never heard of it and think it’s a brilliant idea
Sounds like a great way to meet people in the local community , learn new skills and combat lonliness
Show less of commentDodger9949
Community Member 6 years agoI’m very surprised. Park Runs provide both an opportunity to combat loneliness as well as vital,exercise.
Show full commentI’m very surprised. Park Runs provide both an opportunity to combat loneliness as well as vital,exercise.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoThe idea is that when people present with health problems at GP clinics, they still receive clinical attention to the health problems but also there is recognition of the other factors that may be causing or worsening their health and...
Show full commentThe idea is that when people present with health problems at GP clinics, they still receive clinical attention to the health problems but also there is recognition of the other factors that may be causing or worsening their health and wellbeing; and some of these added issues can be solved by social prescribing. You are right that loneliness and isolation can make health problems worse and also Roger's comment is right that exercise can often help. However, if someone has been ill and is trying to recover, they may need more support to be able to engage with activities, especially if their mental health is suffering
Show less of comment