Social prescribing is aimed at a range of patients, including those who are socially isolated and those with long-term physical and/or mental health conditions. Patients are actively encouraged to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical ‘link workers’, who will focus on their needs and prescribe individual health and wellbeing plans. 

The move follows emerging evidence, which suggests that social prescribing can improve people’s health and wellbeing and reduce workload for healthcare professionals and demand for secondary care service. The number of specially trained ‘social prescribers’ is set to increase under NHS England plans, with more than 1,000 to be recruited by 2020-21.

Key responsibilities for the role include taking referrals from GPs and making referrals to a wide range of agencies within primary care networks, co-producing personalised support plans with individuals, their families and carers to help them take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes.

Required skills for the role include a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role – such as when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner.

Eleven Northamptonshire Primary Care Networks are involved in the campaign. The deadline for applications is 21 July 2019. 

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