July 2023
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This conference focused on social prescribing in England, assessing progress and discussing next steps.
It was an opportunity to examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of social prescribing so far, ahead of the review of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme in general practice taking place in early 2024.
Delegates discussed the developing role of social prescribing in tackling loneliness and prescribed medicine dependence, supporting people with cost of living pressures and health inequalities, and improving access to green spaces.
It was also an opportunity to discuss priorities for developing social prescribing programmes and how these can reach new groups, including schools, prisons and veterans, following the National Academy for Social Prescribing being awarded funding to continue granting people access to innovative mental health support.
Further sessions examined the next steps for the social prescribing workforce, including challenges around pay, pressure and capacity, as well as issues with training and support for dealing with complex conditions, and the role of link workers and colleagues in addressing wider challenges in primary care.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- looking forward: next steps and the longer-term outlook for social prescribing - building the workforce to meet demand - developing local community healthcare partnerships
- integrated care: operating in new ICS structures - developing prevention initiatives - the role of social prescribing in addressing pressures in primary care
- workforce: priorities and challenges for expansion - opportunities for funding and training - engaging the voluntary sector in light of increased pressure on the NHS
- cost-effectiveness: latest research and thinking on the efficacy of social prescribing - assessing progress on cost savings in the NHS, and expectations for the scale and timing of tangible impacts
- widening delivery: next steps for accessing new groups such as schools, prisons and veterans - utilising funding - developing personalised patient care
- health inequalities: opportunities for further outreach initiatives - reaching communities who have the greatest inequalities - best practice in creating trusted relationships
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the DCMS; DfE; DHSC; DSIT; DWP; HMPPS; NAO; OHID; POST; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from The House of Lords.
