Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire

VCS Health and Social Care Forum

Social Prescribing

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Social Prescribing

Definition:

“A means of enabling primary care services to refer patients with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local, non-clinical services, often provided by the voluntary and community sector (VCS).”

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Benefits of Social PrescribingTo patients:

•Improved health and wellbeing•Supports health and lifestyle change•Improved self esteem and confidence•Offer of accompanied visits•More specialised local knowledge•Speed of referral•Allows time to be heard

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Benefits of Social Prescribing

For Health professionals:•Reduces frequent practice attendance•More appropriate use of GP time•Easy referral•Provides links between VCS and statutory sector•Increased range of practical services•Encourages and supports self care

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Benefits of Social Prescribing

To Health & Social Care Economy:

•Decreased reliance on statutory health services•Decrease in clinical prescribing•Decreased need for acute services

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Primary Care Model

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Primary Care Model

Expected Outcomes:

•After six months Fred has attended the GP less

•Fred is happier

•Fred has a healthier lifestyle

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Secondary Care Model

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Secondary Care Model

Expected Outcomes:

•After six months Sarah has attended A&E less frequently

•Sarah has been supported in engaging with community services

•Sarah is happier and living more healthily

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

What Needs to Change?

• Need much more awareness of VCS services in localities – VCS Directories

• Need Statutory partners to recognise the professionalism of VCS provision

• Need to be able to cost our services effectively

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

What Needs to Change?

• VCS groups demonstrating the effectiveness of service provision

• Pilots established in City and County to confirm social prescribing works

• Recognition that VCS services aren’t free but they are more cost effective and deliver better outcomes

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Local Developments

• Leicestershire County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Have recommended that Social Prescribing is established within GP Practice in County – discussions ongoing

• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust – Requested development of Social Prescribing pilot for Emergency Department

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Local Developments

• VAL contacted by Police to look at possibility of Social Prescribing service for “frequent callers”

• Pilot commencing at Hedges Medical Practice in Eyres Monsell

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Hedges Medical Practice

• Discussions with GP following Health and Social Care Forum

• Meetings with Practice Manager and Patient Participation Group (PPG) to explain model

• VAL providing training to PPG volunteers

• GP surgery providing space for Social Prescribing Clinic

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Hedges Medical Practice

• VAL developed City Directory of VCS Services

• GP’s providing lists of “frequent attenders” who could benefit from Social Prescribing

• First Social Prescribing Clinic in late August

• Pilot will run until end of March 2015 and evaluation report produced

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Case Study

• The Bridge – Homelessness to Hope

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Any questions?

Voluntary Action Leicestershire “Helping people change their lives for the better”

Thank You

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire

working in the City and across the County to

“Help people change their lives for the better”