Social prescribing Resources

Despite the recommendations of the original Marmot Report in 2010 (Marmot, 2010) and the subsequent Marmot review (2020), the widening gap causing health inequalities has impacted on life expectancy, particularly in areas with elevated levels of multiple deprivation. The gap has resulted in those living in the least deprived areas living longer than those in the most deprived areas. Moreover, the past 18 months has witnessed an exponential rise in the numbers of people developing significant health issues, such
as mental ill-health and obesity because of the Covid-19 pandemic (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Here, Michelle Howarth, senior lecturer in nursing, Salford, Jo Ward, change maker, North West strategic lead for social prescribing, Cheshire and Merseyside Women and Children’s Partnership Museum Development Yorkshire consultant, and Daisy Jackson, North West regional mentor for care coordination and lead care coordinator, explore why there is an increased precedent to support communities to reduce this gap and address the wider determinants of health for citizens.

Here, Ellen Nicholson, course director/lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, explores what the plan means for general practice nurses (GPNs) and how this key document will affect their role in general practice.

This article provides general practice nurses (GPNs) with a brief history of asset-based community development (ABCD). It considers how the principles of asset-based approaches are currently used and may be further developed to tackle modern challenges in health and social care. It considers one particular approach, ‘social prescribing’ — this is perhaps best known to GPNs. Social prescribing has emerged as an early asset-based solution to improve wellbeing. The article also explores some of the advantages and limitations of social prescribing and gives glimpses as to how asset-based nursing may evolve.