Queens Road introduces social prescribing

Sunday 02 February 2020

A medical practice has introduced a social prescribing service to help improve the wellbeing of patients.

Social prescribing focuses on connecting people with local support groups and other community services to help them address social, practical and emotional needs as part of an overall treatment programme.

Clare Arnold, currently a Governance Assistant at the Practice, has been appointed as link worker for the practice’s social prescribing offering.

Ms Arnold will offer free sessions with patients who have either been referred by their GP or self-referred. 

“It’s important to identify what people need and take the time to establish a connection to help them explore different ways to improve their wellbeing,” she said. “Today people are facing so many different issues that aren’t necessarily
medical or require medication in the traditional sense.

“Social prescribing could suit anyone who feels lonely or isolated, have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing or need support with their mental health, or indeed anyone who is looking for a different way to improve their lifestyle.

“My role will be to help signpost people to locally available resources that might help improve their quality of life.”

Ms Arnold has undergone specialist training at the Bromley by Bow centre in the UK, a charity that combines a neighbourhood hub with a medical practice and a community research project. 

Queens Road Chief Executive Officer Will Pierce said her training to become a link worker has put her in good stead to provide this new service to the practice's patients.

“We’re proud of Clare’s dedication and enthusiasm and we look forward to seeing the benefits of offering this holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing alongside our traditional medical services," he said. 

The new social prescribing service will start from Monday 10 February. To make an appointment please call 724184.

Pictured top: Clare Arnold.