Report Highlights the importance of Social Prescribing

Could social prescribing be one of the tools to tackle Scotland’s persistent health inequalities? With a referral from a GP, people are connected with a dedicated social prescriber who explores what issues they’re facing, and the activities that could support them in their community. 

A recent evaluation of the SPRING project showed that most referrals where related to addressing mental health and social isolation, and that all of the people who engaged with a community provider reported having better health and wellbeing as a result. Being outside the medical system also helped to reduced labels and stigma. 

GPs saw positives too, where they were able to make a joined-up referral to a social prescriber, rather than just sign posting to local community organisations and not knowing whether it had a positive impact on their patient.

For community organisations, the report outlines the importance of these referrals being backed up with proper resource. The amount of investment in community-led health required as part of a social prescribing model would be a drop in the ocean compared to the ‘downstream’ healthcare effects of continuing inequalities that we’re already seeing.  

While the SPRING project has ended, there are important questions around how approaches like social prescribing can become the norm – and what role community-led organisations can play in supporting it.  Click here to download the report