Recognising the benefits that social prescribing can have on secondary care, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation Trust (T&G ICFT) have launched a social prescribing programme that enables secondary care professionals in Tameside and Glossop to effectively make one-click social prescribing referrals to The Bureau, a local VCSE organisation that provides a range of community services aimed at improving wellbeing, and Action Together, another VCSE organisation that provides services to thousands of people in Oldham and Tameside.
Using Elemental’s Core social prescribing platform, The Bureau and Action Together regularly receive referrals from secondary care professionals, such as community paramedics, physiotherapists, practice nurses and stroke specialists to their services including community activities, befriending programmes, life skills workshops and healthy minds classes.
Secondary care professionals can track the status of referrals at different stages, enriching the conversations they have with individuals and allowing a seamless pathway to and from secondary and community care.
A major benefit for T&G ICFT is that they now have the ability to access, report and showcase detailed data analytics which helps to shape social prescribing services and evidence outcomes.
1/3 of referrals they receive come from secondary care, mainly from their Adult Social Care team. The majority of referrals made are for mild-moderate mental health.
In Skemersdale, Community Specialist Paramedics are using social prescribing to empower people to enhance their own health and wellbeing through community-based programmes and services.
Kieran Potts said “As a Community Specialist Paramedic, I work for the North West Ambulance Service, linking in with the Skelmersdale Social Prescribing team and West Lancashire CCG. I am regularly finding that patients I see with long term medical conditions not only require medical support, but also social support. As part of our joint working, I have witnessed collaboration of the highest standard, focusing on providing holistic health and social care for our West Lancashire population.”
By working together and liaising with other health and social care colleagues, Skemersdale Social Prescribing team have been able to reduce calls for a particular patient to the ambulance service by 92% and subsequently, the patient is experiencing a positive shift in her physical and mental wellbeing.
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“Social prescribing should be available for all GPs to offer their patients. One barrier to universal cover has been the lack of a quality platform for referring, recording and signposting patients, so we’re delighted to be piloting Elemental Software for our partnership with AgeUK.”
- Clapham Park Group Practice GP & Clinical Champion for the RCGP Clinical Priorities Programme, Clapham Park Group PracticeWe were selected to help the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, develop his vision for social prescribing in London.
Some of the team who will be supporting you in your quest to mainstream social prescribing are listed below:
Co CEO
Jennifer has over 17 year’s experience in extensive engagement and consultation with vibrant and diverse stakeholder groups drawn. Her work has informed strategies for renewal – economic, physical and social, building stronger and more vibrant communities.
Co CEO
Leeann has over 15 years experience in community development & health, engaging and activating the hardly reached across areas of disadvantage in particular families, older people at risk of isolation, carers and children at risk of or suffering from obesity.
Project Manager
Clare has held a number of roles in community health improvement aiming to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and well-being of the community.
Head of Projects
Over 16 years experience working within the community and voluntary sector, working in community development, mental health, training and project management working with some of the most marginalised communities in Northern Ireland.
Community Partner
Phil has a strong background in scaling high impact, sustainable strategies and programmes in local communities including ‘Sportivate’ – a major Olympic Legacy Programme and The National Mini Tennis Programme, now the way children are introduced to the sport globally.
