GP clinics urged to employ ‘social activity’ experts
DOCTORS’ surgeries should have a member of staff responsible for “prescribing” exercise and social activities, GPS’ leaders said.
The Royal College of GPS (RCGP) suggested the move would tackle the “crippling” workloads experienced by family doctors and free up their time for those patients most in need.
It is calling for all GP surgeries to be funded so that they can provide a dedicated social prescriber and it quoted its recent survey that found 59 per cent of family doctors think the move can help reduce their workloads.
The RCGP said an evidence review by the University of Westminster had found reports of an average drop of more than a quarter (28 per cent) in demand on GP services following referral to such a specialist.
Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, the RCGP chairman, said social prescribing was not a new idea.
Other examples of activities include gardening, volunteering, arts, cookery and sports. She said: “GPS will always consider the physical, social, and psychological aspects of the person sitting in front of them, and this means they often identify non-medical needs.
“So, patients might benefit from an exercise class, a social group, or another activity that helps them to get out of the house and meet other people. Social prescribing is not a new idea – good GPS have always done it – it just didn’t have a name. But we need to start realising the wider, long-term benefits this way of working can have for general practice, the wider NHS, and, most importantly, our patients.”
Prof Stokes-lampard warned that for such a system to work there would need to be sufficient resources such as community groups and appropriate schemes and classes.
She added: “We hear fantastic stories of social prescribing transforming patients’ lives, but many GP practices are not equipped to do it effectively, particularly with the intense resource and workforce pressure they face.
“Having someone who had a dedicated role to take on this responsibility could help everyone.”