A rapid economic assessment of Wildlife Trusts’ nature prescribing programmes

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BackgroundThe Wildlife Trusts play an important role in reducing the impact of poor public health on NHS services, improving human health through nature engagement projects. To bring these health benefits to light, the authors conducted a rapid economic assessment of Wildlife Trusts’ projects. MethodsFive green prescribing projects with the most comprehensive data were selected. Benefits to the participants were identified, including improved mental and physical health and reduced loneliness and physical health. To refine the methodologies for valuing the benefits achieved with each service type and its associated costs, a targeted literature review was conducted. The review encompassed studies considering the valuation of green prescribing services, mental health benefits, physical health benefits, and the economic implications related to reduced loneliness. The costs of running each Wildlife Trusts programme were established, and a subsequent cost:benefit figure calculated. FindingsThe authors concluded from the results that green prescribing has the potential to deliver cost saving benefits to the NHS and “take weight out of the system”. For example, through the Wild at Heart project, that involved 82 participants over a year in Rotherham and Sheffield, they estimated a reduction in NHS costs associated with inpatient admissions, A&E attendances and outpatient appointments by £38 646 per year. Or, every £1 spent on this project is estimated to deliver a £1·19 benefit in terms of reduced costs to the NHS. The research then examined the potential impact if this programme was delivered at scale. Reaching a similar demographic of 1·2 million people living with poor mental health would achieve cost savings to the NHS of £635·6 million and a potential running cost of £534 million. InterpretationNature prescribing projects can deliver a greater saving in healthcare costs than the cost of running them. The Wildlife Trusts and other organisations in the environment sector delivering ‘social prescribing’ should be further integrated into health and social care services in the community. We now need policies that sustainably fund the provision. FundingRoyal Society of Wildlife Trusts.