Social prescribing, community support and self-referral

Not every issue presented to a GP practice needs a GP appointment. Patients may be seeking help with loneliness, housing stress, debt, bereavement, caring responsibilities, physical activity, confidence, community connection or practical support. ^[1]

Make support practical

Social prescribing and community support are helpful when they are local, appropriate and acceptable to the patient. Some areas provide link workers, wellbeing teams, voluntary sector connectors, community hubs or specialist self-referral services. Other areas have fewer options and different referral rules. ^[3]

Self-referral can be part of active signposting, but it should not feel like abandonment. The patient should know what the route involves, how to start it, what will happen next, and what to do if the route is closed, too slow or not suitable. ^{[8] [2]}

Community and self-referral signposts still need safety thinking: social needs can sit alongside safeguarding concerns, urgent distress or health problems that need escalation.

Avoid assumptions. Money worries may mask risk, and loneliness can coexist with urgent mental health needs. Reception staff and care navigators are not expected to make clinical assessments, but they must listen closely, follow local protocols and escalate concerns when indicated. ^[4][9]

Social Prescribing Across the UK