Social Prescribing

Your Health Care Professional may suggest you be referred to the Social Prescriber who is working in this GP Practice.

It is widely recognised that by helping a person consider some of their social, psychological, and practical needs, an improvement in wellbeing is possible.

The service is considered non urgent and suitable for those coping with one or more of the following situations.

• one or more long-term health conditions.
• those who may need some support with their mental health.
• those who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
• those who may have complex social needs which are affecting their wellbeing.
  

Social Prescribers aim to do the following (in approximately four meetings):

• Make contact by phone, in person at the GP practice and sometimes can offer a home visit
• Listen, assess, and help you make a personal plan about what matters to you.
• Provide information about different activities or services which could help you feel better.
• Support you, if necessary, to access your chosen community and wellbeing activities, or other services related to health, social care, and community services.

The Social Prescriber is not medically trained and is available to focus on your social rather than medical needs. When they meet you, they will take some notes and some details can be added to your patient records (if you wish). This helps to provide holistic healthcare across primary care teams. Some notes can remain confidential. Some information will be shared in exceptional circumstances i.e., if such a situation arises, where the Social Prescriber is concerned for your safety or that of others. They will discuss their concerns and involve you where possible.

Note: If you weren’t able to decide about being referred to the Social Prescriber in your consultation but now do wish to go ahead, please contact the GP reception team who can complete the referral form as well.

For further information about social prescribing, please click here

Our practice social prescriber is called Debbie. A few words from Debbie can be found below: 

"Hello, I am Debbie, Social Prescriber at Buxted Medical Centre, Manor Oak and East Hoathly.

I`m delighted to have been given the opportunity to let you know about the Social Prescribing Service in partnership with Age UK East Sussex.  

Social Prescribing offers the kind of help that doesn`t come in a tube or bottle.

The idea behind Social Prescribing is to help you have more control over your own health and wellbeing, finding ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you. Studies show that patients with social prescriptions get better and feel better faster than those treated with medicine alone and because it works, it`s happening across the country and is part of GP health services.     

As a Social prescriber I work as part of the non-clinical team at the Surgery.  I start by having a confidential conversation to listen to your concerns and needs and what`s important to you.  I aim to support you to find the most suitable solution for you, this might be a local social group or activity, assistance to apply for a blue car badge, a benefits check, employment, housing or finance advice, some help because you look after someone or information about other health services.

Social Prescribers have the time to spend finding a solution with you and know lots about what`s available in your local community. We want people to feel connected to their community for better health and wellbeing and this has been especially important since the Coronavirus.  

If you`re a registered patient of the Surgery (or the patient`s relative) and would like to talk with a Social Prescriber, you can ask to be referred during medical appointments or via the reception team.

I look forward to talking with you".