GPs emphasise the power of social prescribing

A national social prescribing scheme could ease pressure on the entire healthcare system by keeping more patients healthy in their communities, according to the RACGP.
 
On Social Prescribing Day, the college is calling for governments and healthcare providers to invest in access to non-medical activities that could reduce social isolation.
 
Dr Kuljit Singh, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Social Prescribing, said better health outcomes would be the result.
 
‘As a GP, I’ve seen many older patients experiencing social isolation and the impact that this has on their health and sense of wellbeing,’ she said.
 
‘This is even more pronounced in aged care facilities, where I’ve seen some people staying in their own room for weeks or even months with minimal social contact.
 
‘So, I encourage health providers, including GPs, to add social prescribing to their toolkit if they haven’t already.  
 
‘Social prescribing options can include community groups and other resources, and they can even implement programs in their own clinic if they have the space, or start a virtual program.’
 
Another example of social prescribing supported by the RACGP is the parkrun practice initiative adopted in 2022.
 
While knowledge of the benefits of social prescribing is becoming more widely known, Dr Singh hopes it could have an even more significant impact. 
 
‘The college has previously urged governments to help address the nation’s mental health crisis by implementing a national social prescribing scheme,’ she said.  
 
‘If we had a nationally coordinated approach, we could do even more to ease pressure on our entire healthcare system, including our hospitals, and help keep patients happy and healthy in their communities.’
 
Research has suggested social isolation can increase health risks by the equivalent of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. 
 
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements echoes Dr Singh’s calls, saying social prescribing can boost preventive care, particularly in areas outside of the big cities. 
 
‘Social prescribing is a vital tool for GPs and practice teams in rural and remote communities,’ he said. 
 
‘We know that people living outside of metro areas experience poorer health outcomes. This includes higher rates of chronic disease including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and lung conditions.
 
‘They face greater barriers accessing healthcare, including other specialist services such as psychologists and psychiatrists.
 
‘So, it’s hardly surprising that potentially preventable hospitalisations are higher compared to major cities. 
 
‘This is why social prescribing can have a profound impact in the bush.’
 
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mental health parkrun rural medicine social isolation social prescribing