Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to identify the well-being outcomes of a social prescribing model set within a secondary mental health service recovery pathway and understand the key characteristics of a social prescribing referral for producing these outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study of one mental health social prescribing service with three nested case studies of social prescribing providers. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with commissioners, providers and patients (n = 20) and analysed thematically. Findings Social prescribing makes a positive contribution to emotional, psychological and social well-being for patients of secondary mental health services. A key enabling mechanism of the social prescribing model was the supportive discharge pathway which provided opportunities for sustained engagement in community activities, including participation in peer-to-peer support networks and volunteering. Research limitations/implications More in-depth research is required to fully understand when, for whom and in what circumstances social prescribing is effective for patients of secondary mental health services. Practical implications A supported social prescribing referral, embedded within a recovery focussed secondary mental health service pathway, offers a valuable accompaniment to traditional approaches. Current social prescribing policy is focussed on increasing the number of link workers in primary care, but this study highlights the importance models embedded within secondary care and of funding VCSE organisations to receive referrals and provide pathways for long-term engagement, enabling positive outcomes to be sustained. Originality/value Social prescribing is widely advocated in policy and practice but there are few examples of social prescribing models having been developed in secondary mental health services, and no published academic studies that everybody are aware of.
Highlights
In the National Health Service (NHS) in England social prescribing has been promoted to enable healthcare practitioners to refer patients to link workers who help them identify and access non-clinical activities provided by voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) at a community level (NHS England, 2019)
A number of outcomes for secondary mental health service patients were identified through our nested case studies that demonstrate how social prescribing contributes to the factors and dimensions associated with mental health as flourishing (Provencher and Keyes, 2011)
Many patients recounted feeling anxious at the start of their engagement with social prescribing, they reflected on the importance of having something planned in the week which they looked forward to and knew they would enjoy
Summary
In the National Health Service (NHS) in England social prescribing has been promoted to enable healthcare practitioners to refer patients to link workers who help them identify and access non-clinical activities provided by voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) at a community level (NHS England, 2019). This approach aims to harness community assets to encourage self-care and address long-term health and psychological conditions and accompanying social issues (Moffatt et al, 2017). Ellen Bennett is based at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
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