Social Prescribing

At Moatfield Surgery, we have a Social Prescriber who works across the East Grinstead Primary Care Network (PCN), based at Moatfield on a Tuesday and across other East Grinstead GP Practices throughout the week. 

 

What is Social Prescribing?

Social Prescribing supports patient wellbeing when there are non-medical outside factors impacting their health and wellbeing. 

A social prescriber is not a counsellor or a therapist, but someone who can connect you to local support services and help you to focus on what matters to you, enabling you to take ownership of your own wellbeing. 

 

How could I benefit from Social Prescribing?

Social Prescribing can benefit patients struggling with a wide range of personal struggles, such as:

  • Housing Issues
  • Debt Management
  • Employment
  • Bereavement
  • Isolation
  • Mobility
  • Money Worries

The patients who will benefit the most from social prescribing are the ones who engage with the service. 

Social prescribing is not a mental health service, but may be able to support your mental health by helping you to tackle some of the personal struggles that can impact your mental health. They may also be able to discuss your case with the Emotional Wellbeing Service to help manage low-level mental health problems. 

 

How does Social Prescribing Work?

Patients need to be referred to the social prescriber by a member of our team. 

Patients will have a series of about 6 sessions over the course of 3 months. These sessions can take place Face to Face at the practice, over the telephone or even via video. Homevisits may be available for patients who are housebound or struggle to leave their house. 

During these sessions, the social prescriber will work with you, encouraging you to think about "What matters to me?" and formulate a simple plan to move forward, empowering you to make the changes you want to see, and enabling you to feel more in control of the issues that are impacting your wellbeing. 

The Social Prescriber can also signpost you to organisations and activities that could benetit your wellbeing and help you to make positive changes. 

laptop-appointment

 

Last Reviewed 20/01/2024