MP’s ‘social prescribing’ plan to slash cost of GP appointments
CONNECTING PATIENTS to community services through improved ‘social prescribing’ could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds by reducing the need for GP appointments, Yorkshire MP Alexander Stafford has said.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on the issue, the Conservative MP for Rother Valley said the concept is “crucial to the future of care” as research has shown helping to direct people to join activities like running clubs or community choirs can improve health and wellbeing.
He said a greater NHS focus on social prescribing will also remove pressure on GPs and save money in the process.
“Evidence also shows that one in five GP appointments are for non-medical needs, such as mental health, relationships, housing, loneliness, social isolation, managing a long-term health condition
and debt,” he said. “Demand for GP appointments has increased by 30 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels, but the ecosystem of social prescribing support is fragmented.
“Healthcare professionals have limited visibility of what local support is available, as directories of services are often outdated and the referral pathway to different agencies is complex.”
Mr Stafford told his fellow MPs: “A recent assessment of the economic impact of social prescribing by the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), which drew on the best available evidence, concludes that social prescribing can be a cost-effective intervention that reduces pressure on primary care, especially GP services.
“NASP’s preliminary forecasts indicate that the NHS social prescribing link worker programme could save the taxpayer more than £480m over three years by reducing the need for GP appointments.”
Mr Stafford called for more social prescribing link workers to be hired.
Health Minister Maggie Throup said social prescribing is an “integral part of the NHS”, with plans to expand hiring.