Westminster Health Forum

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Priorities for delivering social prescribing - progress, integration, funding, scaling up, and helping meet the challenges of COVID-19 recovery

September 2021


Starting from: £99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF


When it happened…


Tuesday, 7 September 2021


What delegates came to discuss…


This conference will discuss priorities and next steps for the delivery of social prescribing - with a particular focus on its role in the recovery from the pandemic.


The discussion takes place in the context of:


  • the NHS Long Term Plan citing personalised care and the development of social prescribing as being among its key ambitions
  • the introduction of the Health and Care Bill, with measures to support the delivery of the Long Term Plan, enable all aspects of the health and care system to work more closely together, and support the integrated delivery of care closer to home

The conference will be an opportunity to discuss how social prescribing can meet increased demand and support community health in the recovery from the pandemic - following increased funding and workforce recruitment, intended to tackle loneliness and health inequalities, during the response to COVID-19.


Key areas for discussion:


  • progress - assessing the delivery of social prescribing so far, integration with primary care, and the key priorities for scaling up provision
  • next steps and funding priorities - what is needed to enable social prescribing to meet increased demand from the pandemic and to scale up effectively
  • learning from the pandemic - the delivery of social prescribing throughout the health emergency, and its role in supporting community health in the UK’s recovery
  • workforce development - continuing the momentum in developing the skills of those working in social prescribing so as to meet demand and long-term ambitions
  • service development - utilising the NHS estate, maximising opportunities for holistic community care, and building partnerships
  • quality and evaluation - developing the evidence base and best practice, and measuring effectiveness

Who attended…


Officials from Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department of Health and Social Care; and the National Audit Office.


Representatives from Arts 4 Dementia; Arts Well; Blaby District Council; Bromley By Bow Centre; Canal & River Trust; Compton Care Group; Dacorum Borough Council; Gosport Voluntary Action; Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust; London Borough of Newham; London Plus; Luton Borough Council; Mayden; Meaningful Measures; National Association of Link Workers; Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit; Patient Participation Group; Penley Rainbow Centre; Performing Medicine; PPG; Public Voice CIC; Re-engage; Red Zebra Community Solutions; Royal Voluntary Service; Shropshire Council; Social Enterprise Kent; Society and College of Radiographers; Swiss Re; Thanet Health; The Craft Coach; The Heritage Crafts Association; University of Liverpool; University of Plymouth; University of Salford; University of South Wales; University of St Andrews; University of Surrey; University of Sussex; Walsall Housing Group; Windermere Health Centre Patient Participation Group and Worcestershire Association of Carers.


Press: Leadership Issues in Social Care.



This on-demand pack includes

  • A full video recording of the conference as it took place, with all presentations, Q&A sessions, and remarks from chairs
  • An automated transcript of the conference
  • Copies of the slides used to accompany speaker presentations (subject to permission
  • Access to on-the-day materialfs, including speaker biographies, attendee lists and the agenda