Summary
There are plans for NHS England to recruit around 1,000 social prescribing “link workers” by 2020-21 to facilitate social prescribing with a view to increasing patient involvement in social activities including exercise groups and art classes.
“Link workers are part of NHS England’s plans to personalise care for patients, so they can take greater control of their mental and physical health”.
The aim is to help reduce the workload on GPs, as featured in the NHS Long Term Plan.
“Link workers within primary care networks will work with people to develop tailored plans and connect them to local groups and support services. Over 1,000 trained social prescribing link workers will be in place by the end of 2020/21 rising further by 2023/24, with the aim that over 900,000 people are able to be referred to social prescribing schemes”. p.25.
Reference
More ‘social prescribers’ to ease pressure on GPs. London: BBC Health News, January 28th 2019.
Further information:
Reference
Army of workers to support family doctors. [Online]: NHS England, January 28th 2019.
An unofficial parody:
Reference
Patterson, J. (2019). The link worker will see you now. [Online]: NHSNetworks, January 31st 2019.
Theoretical Context: the Comprehensive Model of Personalised Care
Background information:
Reference
Comprehensive model of personalised care. [Online]: NHS England, accessed January 30th 2019.
An infographic on the Personalised Care Operating Model :
Reference
Personalised Care Operating Model. [Online]: NHS England, updated January 2019.
