Social Prescribing Benefits: GP's Perspective - Episode 75, HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health & Wellbeing Podcast, host Noreen Turley explores the concept of social prescribing with Dr. Sean Owens, a GP and chair of the Climate Health Alliance of Ireland, and Dr. Aleisha Clarke, the HSE National Program Manager for Mental Health and Wellbeing. They delve into how social prescribing aims to connect individuals with local community resources to meet their social, emotional, and practical needs and explain that it’s not just about medical solutions; it’s about holistic care that considers the whole person moving beyond traditional medical solutions to a more holistic approach to healthcare.
Dr. Owens acknowledges that integrating social prescribing into primary care requires a cultural shift among healthcare providers. He demonstrates how social prescribing has been successfully integrated into his practice, where link workers have become an essential part of the healthcare team, emphasising the need for GPs to recognise the value of addressing social needs and to be open to referring patients to link workers.
Aleisha explains the referral process, noting that individuals can be referred by a GP, health care professional or can also self-refer. Once referred, they work with a link worker to co-develop a personalised health and wellbeing plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. This individualised support is crucial, as link workers take the time to understand each person's unique needs.
Listeners are encouraged to visit the All-Ireland Social Prescribing website www.allireland... to connect with local link workers and start their journey toward accessing community supports. This episode underscores the transformative potential of the social prescribing service in improving health and wellbeing, advocating for continued development of this innovative service in healthcare. For further information, visit www.hse.ie/eng...
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