A SUCCESSFUL project to help people in the Forest of Dean access services and activities to improve their health and wellbeing has been rolled out across the district.

The Forest Council and Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group have been working together with voluntary sector organisations for almost two years, offering patients at several GP practices a ‘social prescription’.

Primary care staff can refer patients with social, emotional or practical needs to the hub co-ordinator who offers one-to-one support and helps connect people to a range of local, non-clinical services and activities, such as a befriending service or physical activity class.

Thanks to funding from the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund, two additional officers have been recruited meaning more people can benefit.

Residents can now access social prescriptions through their GP, but also through staff in the integrated care teams across the district. 

Dr Tristan Lench, of Severnbank surgery in Lydney, said: “GPs can prescribe medicines or refer patients to specialists but there are often times when problems go beyond medical issues and there is just not enough time available to delve deeper during routine appointments or to understand what help is available locally.

“However, social prescribing has given us the option of referring patients to meet those other needs and, hopefully, improve their health and wellbeing. It’s been so helpful to provide this service for carers particularly.”