Ten Top Tips to Boost Support for Digital Social Prescribing Services
In our recent Social Prescribing and Digital Landscape report, launched in partnership with the Greater London Authority, we explored the current landscape of digital support for social prescribing in London, and looked at what some of the future digital support and innovation might look like.
This infographic outlines 10 practical recommendations that we believe can help boost support for digital social prescribing services, not just in London, but throughout the UK.
1. Support the creation of a digital strategy for social prescribing
It will be vital to have the buy in of all intended users and beneficiaries for it to be truly effective, connecting to and embedded in the London wide digital work already taking place
2. Live, fully connected and accurate information on community assets
This will be driven by the local need, in the community’s own terms and will be inclusive and measurable.
3. Implement appropriate social prescribing referral management platforms
These would be connected initially to GP systems, to make it easier for those making referrals in primary care and improve the management of community-based services and experience to citizens.
4. Maximise the use of the Social Prescribing Digital Maturity Index to act as Global Digital Social Prescribing Exemplars
To trial a range of digital solutions and other supportive technologies to grow scale for social prescribing, and develop blueprints for use across London.
5. Maximise the use of population-based analytics
Drawing on data from all sectors, take proactive steps to deliver social prescribing to help better inform commissioners and to measure and monitor the impact on citizens.
6. Link with a framework being developed for the usage of digital across London
Ensuring social prescribing is included, including information sharing, citizen consent to sharing, funding, etc.
7. Brand a pan London approach to social prescribing
To enable projects, communities and areas delivering social prescribing with a strong message about London’s commitment and diverse approach to social prescribing.
8. Publicise existing digital solutions
So they are scaled and used and build on these moving forward as well
as introducing more.
9. Consider a London wide volunteer strategy
That increases capacity and improves the digital skills of those volunteers who require it, to enable future digital services.
10. Align with and maximise the benefits of, social prescribing policy across sectors
As this develops, to ensure that both London and sector needs are met and avoid more complexity.
Indeed, one of the main opportunities digital affords, but equally one of the main challenges, is the connecting of information between different organisations and connecting different systems, to enable those involved in social prescribing to best serve their citizens and communities. Although “interoperability” is complex, digital solutions provide vast opportunities to build and support the social prescribing fabric.
Elemental Social Prescribing People
