A new Allied Health Professions (AHP) social prescribing framework has been launched today at the International Social Prescribing Conference.
Entitled ‘Driving forward social prescribing’ it has been established by The Royal Society for Public Health, NHS Improvement, NHS England and Public Health England to articulate the contribution AHPs make to social prescribing and how their role can be developed.
The development has involved all of the AHP professional bodies as well as voluntary sector organisations and the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The framework covers the spectrum of AHP engagement in social prescribing from light touch through to intensive support; it also includes a wide range of case studies from different AHPs, including occupational therapists working in a variety of settings. These case studies highlight the exciting work already being done by many AHPs to engage people with social prescribing and should encourage all AHPs to value social prescribing in their daily work.
Commenting on the framework, Julia Scott, CEO, Royal College of Occupational Therapists said:
“The Royal College welcomes the new social prescribing framework. The topic of social prescribing and the unique contribution occupational therapy can make, has been key to much of our work over the past few years. We are among several professional bodies advising the government and NHS England on the development of a social prescribing academy.
“The new framework marks a cultural shift in the way health and care is thought of and delivered in England and fits the wider agenda across all four nations around a need to bring a more personalised approach to health and social care.
“For occupational therapists, personalised care is about focusing on people’s strengths and enabling individuals to carry out the activities they want and need to do in their lives. It is intrinsic to the profession, and always has been. They have a unique contribution to make to social prescribing, one that that utilises their skills effectively.
“We believe that occupational therapists are essential in ensuring vulnerable people with complex needs are able to take advantage of social prescribing and strongly urge all RCOT members to get involved.”