SERVICE UPDATE

The Healthbox contract to provide social prescriber services to the PCN has ended and the PCN is currently in the process of negotiating a new contract. In the meantime, all enquiries regarding the social prescriber service should be made to your GP, who will explain the interim measures in place.

What is Social Prescribing? 

GP’s have many people visiting them with non-medical issues that affect their health and wellbeing, such as loneliness, anxiety, stress, or feeling low. Perhaps they have a debt problem or need support with employment, and don’t know where to turn to. Maybe they want to be more physically active, but don’t have the confidence or even know where to start.  

The Rural Alliance Social Prescribing service helps people make positive changes in their lives to make them feel better, they give people time to talk about how they feel and together, they come up with plan to help them access support.  This could be connecting people to a community group, accessing counselling, signposting for debt and money worries or linking them with befriending services to help them feel less lonely. The Social Prescribing team can support people to become more confident and help them feel empowered to manage their own health and wellbeing.

They offer a personalised approach and aim to support people with what matters TO them, rather than focusing on what’s the matter with them. 

How do i get a referral to the Social Prescribing Service? 

To be referred into the service, please contact your GP practice. You do not need a nurse or GP appointment – the receptionist can refer you. You will be asked for a brief reason for referral to ensure you are referred to the most appropriate member of the team that meets your needs (you don’t need to know which service is best for you, as the receptionist will know).