Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) intends to conduct a review of social prescribing in the area as it explores a “whole-system approach” to prevention, wellbeing and recovery.
The body plans to move beyond viewing the topic as a “discrete service model” and instead consider it a “core component” of a more holistic approach.
That’s according to a report by chief officer Kate Rocks which will go before next Tuesday’s meeting of Inverclyde Council’s social work and social care scrutiny panel.
The paper explained: “Within Inverclyde, social prescribing has evolved through a range of commissioned (Your Voice, CVS) and community-based services, including community link worker services, community connector services, financial inclusion and welfare advice services, third sector recovery and wellbeing programmes, community-based mental wellbeing initiatives, primary care referral pathways and wider HSCP and community planning interventions addressing social determinants of health.
“Recent discussions regarding the future commissioning and sustainability of existing community link worker and community connector contracts have highlighted the need for a broader strategic review of social prescribing provision across Inverclyde.
“SMT [senior management team] has therefore agreed the establishment of a social prescribing short life working group to undertake this review and
develop recommendations for future service delivery and commissioning arrangements.”
Social prescribing is a process in which professionals refer patients to non-clinical, community-based services and activities to support their health and wellbeing.
According to the report, it has become an “increasingly important element” of the health and social care sector across Scotland.
It added: “The proposed review presents a timely opportunity to reshape social prescribing in Inverclyde and ensure future provision is aligned with national policy, local strategic priorities and the changing needs of communities.
“Importantly, the review is not solely about individual contracts or service models. It is an opportunity to consider how Inverclyde can create a more integrated, prevention-focused and recovery-oriented approach that makes best use of community assets, reduces inequalities and improves health and wellbeing outcomes.
“The review will therefore explore not only what services are delivered, but how social prescribing can become a core component of a wider whole-system approach to prevention, wellbeing, recovery and community resilience across Inverclyde.”
