Do you know what Social Prescribing is about? Find out more on Social Prescribing Day 2020
Last year the very first Social Prescribing Day highlighted the importance of social prescribing within modern healthcare.
The event on 12th March this year represents an international annual celebration of social prescribing, providing a specific date in the calendar to highlight the importance and significance of social prescribing in healthcare.
It is estimated that at least one in four patients see their doctor for social problems and welfare advice. For this group of patients, social prescribing has been shown to improve quality of life and emotional wellbeing, mental and general wellbeing, as well as improving levels of depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence has shown that social prescribing can also play a role in tackling the social factors of ill health as well as helping patients suffering from chronic diseases.
With the recent publication of the NHS Long Term Plan, and personalised as a priority, the NHS has promised to support at least 900,000 people to benefit from social prescribing by 2023.
Who can get involved in celebrating #SocialPrescribingDay?
Everyone. Whether you are a patient, carer, any allied healthcare professional, clinician, academic, voluntary care sector organisation, charity, university, school, general practice, secondary care trust, student or just someone with a passion for providing patients with ‘more than pills’. Share your projects, photos, videos, and success with the rest of the world on the 12th of March using #SocialPrescribingDay on Twitter.
There are several things you can do to raise awareness of the benefits of social prescribing. Apart from joining the social media campaign #SocialPrescribingDay, below are a few more examples.
In the community
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Public activities (e.g. choirs, cooking classes, dancing, swimming, arts, etc.)
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Awareness stands (e.g. in cafés)
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Social prescribing fairs and events
In the hospital environment
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Awareness stands (e.g. cafés and restaurants)
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Posters and leaflets
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Interactive activities for the general public
In general practice
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Awareness stands
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Posters and leaflets (e.g. digital slide in waiting areas)
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a healthcare model that takes a whole-person, holistic approach to people’s health and well-being. Social prescribing is a non-medicalised approach (often working alongside medicine) and includes elements such as exercise, sociable classes and therapies to ensure patients have the best chance to live well.
This is not a Healthwatch event, follow these links for more information:
Royal College of Medicine website
The Social Prescribing Network website
