Results of social prescribing are ‘extremely encouraging’

The scheme was launched in the summer of 2021 to help islanders with non-medical issues having an impact on their health by providing non-medical support through various activities, advice and counselling.

During the scheme, 656 people ranging in age from 18 to 90-plus, predominantly people of working age, were referred by a health practitioner to BSP, with a range of issues such as mental wellbeing, social isolation, health behaviours and employment.

‘The results that have come out from this pilot are extremely encouraging and what the team presented today was compelling evidence for the value of social prescribing,’ said director of public health Nicola Brink.

‘What was important for us is that the programme was appropriate for our local situation and a programme developed on island for islanders.

‘A local profile to suit the needs of islands is incredibly important, but also partnership working between the States of Guernsey and the third sector.’

Monthly referrals to BSP have tripled over the last three years.

In the second half of 2023, there was an average of 34 referrals per month.

Link workers had more than 6,000 contacts with clients and made 991 referrals to BSP partner organisations.

BSP link worker and link worker manager Trish De Carteret said that she was amazed by the results.

‘The feedback from our clients has been amazing and the feedback from the GPs just outstanding,’ she said.

‘The only negative feedback was our waiting list and the availability of link workers was outdone by the demand for the service, but it shows the real demand in the island for what we do.’

The Health Improvement Commission was commissioned to run the pilot and prove that the scheme is feasible to keep running. The team has lots of ideas for the direction of the scheme in future.

‘We’ve identified some gaps in the service, there’s a lot of social isolation in younger people and not a lot of places that they can be referred to for that,’ said Ms De Carteret.

‘We’d also like to expand into Alderney and expand our community classes.’

So far nearly all eligible GPs have referred patients to the scheme and 88% of GP survey respondents rated BSP as ‘extremely important’ to the local health system.

Of the GPs, 92% supported BSP as a key feature of the primary care offer.

‘100% of the GPs surveyed felt that Bailiwick Social Prescribing had improved patient wellbeing and that is a really important statistic. Having social prescribing relieves GPs and they can focus on more complex consultations,’ said former GP and BSP steering group member Jo Le Noury.

‘Being active is one of the most effective medicines, but sessions can be walking or dancing groups, boxing, climbing, or more creative things like art and sewing.’

Social prescribing now needs financing from the States to continue, and it has been included in Health & Social Care's budget for 2025, which will be debated by the States next month.