Social Prescriber

Social Prescribers are a key part of our Primary Care Network multidisciplinary team. They work alongside our integrated team of Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Peer Support Workers, Mental Health Practitioners and Care Coordinators to provide an all-encompassing approach to personalised care and promote and embed the personalised care approach across the PCN.

Social prescribing link workers work collaboratively across the health and care system, targeting populations with greatest need and risk of health inequalities. They collaborate with partners to identify gaps in provision and support community offers to be accessible and sustainable.

Social Prescribers manage and prioritise a caseload, according to the needs, priorities and support required by individuals in the caseload. They identify when a persons needs are beyond the scope of the Social Prescribing role and refer them back to other health professionals or organisations.

To undertake holistic assessments and co-design Health and Well-being Plans with individual service users, identifying support needs to ensure maximum engagement in improving their health and wellbeing.

Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them

To provide service users with continuity and a coordinated experience of care, remaining a point of contact throughout the individuals social prescription.

Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities, and the wider determinants of health. The role will require social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population.

To work in partnership with all voluntary and community organisations to build a comprehensive database of local resources to design and support the Social Prescription Menu.

Identify and engage effectively in a non-judgemental and respectful manor with members of the community from all backgrounds, abilities and ages, listening and interpreting complex health information into understandable terms about health and health improvement.

To support and develop GPs and primary care health teams knowledge on how to identify patients suitable for social prescribing service referral on a quarterly basis.

Utilise and maintain comprehensive data and evaluation systems, including individual health outcome tools.

Support the development of the service taking into consideration feedback from service users, PCN member practices, and other local services Social Prescribers work collaboratively with

To keep records of your work and adhere to confidentiality, information sharing protocols and provide monitoring information as required.

Dimensions

The role requires social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own referrals in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population. Where required and as appropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back to other health and social care organisations within the city where appropriate.

Key Result Areas

Improved health and quality of life

Increased patient satisfaction

Fewer primary care consultations

Reductions in the number of hospital admissions, visits to Accident and Emergency, and outpatient attendances

A decrease in the use of wider hospital resources

Reduction in 999 calls.

Increased awareness of non-health interventions.

Southampton West Primary Care Network

Southampton West Primary Care Network (PCN) consists of the 9 GP surgeries in the west of the City and covers 84,000 patients. Our mission is to work collaboratively to develop high quality services for our patients, so that we can improve health outcomes that enable people to live well, for longer, whilst developing resilient primary care.

The PCN already hosts a strong and supportive multi-disciplinary wellbeing team consisting of mental health practitioners, peer support workers, social prescribers, care coordinators, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Pharmacists, and First Contact Physiotherapist.

Qualifications

Experience

Knowledge and Skills