Social prescribing is a way of linking patients in primary care with sources of support within the community. It provides GPs with a non-medical referral option that can operate alongside existing treatments to improve health and wellbeing.
What does the service offer?
There are lots of resources and services across Kent that can support people with meeting others, learning new skills, try different activities, make positive lifestyle changes, get out and about and help manage their health better.
The Social Prescribing Service helps people (aged 18 and over) find these opportunities as where to look can sometimes get in peoples way.
Social Prescribing Coordinators
Social Prescribing Coordinators can help link you to local groups and activities, help you make positive lifestyle changes, learn new skills and refer you into community health services and social care if necessary.
Social Prescribing Coordinators can also provide you with information on topics such as employment, training, benefits, housing, legal advice and signpost you to the relevant support available.
The Social Prescriber at Surgery is Katie Hamlett.
Accessing the Social Prescribing Service
The appointment is at your GP surgery and can last up to 1 hour
You can have up to two further follow up appointments to chat about how things are improving for you
You may be asked to complete a Wellbeing Tool during your appointment(s), this is just so we can make sure we have covered everything and to measure your progress
If you are registered to the practice, you can ask your GP on how to be referred to the Social Prescribing Service.
Alternatively, visit us and more about what we can do to help.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW:
• The service is limited to 18+, however we can still provide support to parents of children under 18 by referring to the appropriate organisations.
• We can do home visits for appropriate patients
• We help you find services outside the health system, so we are unable to organise medical appointments and advise you speak with your GP/healthcare professional.
• We can’t organise transport but we can provide you with more information on community transport options.
• We aren’t able to fill in benefit forms (i.e Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, PIP etc) but signpost to places that can support you with this.
• We are not a replacement for Social Services and are not designed for crisis situations.