Social Prescriber

Job summary

Job summary

The Social Prescriber will be employed by the University Medical Group to support patients and promote lifestyle changes, preventing ill-health by means of behavioural change techniques.

The Social Prescriber:

May work with patients in the practice or the patients home or where appropriate in the community

Connect patients with non-medical support, such as day centres, charities

or community groups.

Deal with patients with one or more long-term conditions.

Support patients with mental health needs.

Empower patients who are lonely or isolated and who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Link with families, carers and relatives as required.

Co-ordinate care and support from statutory and non-statutory services

Develop support groups which would benefit patient health and well-being

Train and manage volunteers for wellbeing projects

Main duties of the job

The following are the core responsibilities of the Social Prescriber.

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will depend on factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Manage Referrals :

Receive referrals from practice clinicians for patients with long-term health conditions including mental health conditions, obesity, diabetes, respiratory conditions, mobility issues, sensory impairment, social isolation, housing and debt issues.

The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by the individual.

Proactively contact patients, assessing their needs and offering a personalised approach to include face to face meetings, telephone support as required and home visits as required

Improve patient health and wellbeing :

Develop trusting relationships by giving patients time and focusing on what matters to them

Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities and co-produce a personalised support plan, using the Well-Being Star as a tool.

Set goals and develop plans with patients to help them take control of their health and wellbeing.

Maintain regular contact to address issues as they arise and ensure patients progress and achieve their goals.

Support patients to choose appropriate community activities such as exercise groups, self-help groups, debt advice and social organisations.

About us

Network with local organizations:

Engage with the practice Patient Participation Group, existing community groups and develop contacts within local statutory services.

Be part of the practice Multi-Disciplinary Team:

Work in partnership with key staff in the practice, attending relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider team, giving information and feedback on social prescribing and developments in the local community