Social prescribing

BMJ talk medicine

Non-medical interventions are increasingly being proposed to address wider determinants of health and to help patients improve health behaviours and better manage their conditions - this is known as social prescribing. In England, the NHS Long Term Plan states that nearly one million people will qualify for referral to social prescribing schemes by 2024. In this podcast, Chris Drinkwater, emeritus professor of primary care and Louise Cook, a link worker, both at Newcastle University's Ways to Wellness - who provide social prescribing support. They describe the evidence base for the service, how they work with patients to coordinate their non-medical interventions, and how they measure success. Read the full clinical update: https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l1285