Is now the right time to making the most of the funded social prescribing link worker roles? Christiana Melam, Chief Executive at the National Association of Link Workers and Nicola Gitsham, Head of Social Prescribing at NHS England think so. Here, they talk to Ben about the history of the role, how practices and PCNs can maximise holistic patient care through the employment of the link workers and why they are a crucial element in managing the impact and the effects of the Covid-19 crisis.

Introductions (14 secs)

The evolution of the link worker role (1 min 21 secs)

What has been the impact of the pandemic on social prescribing link workers? (2 mins 50 secs)

How has the role changed in recent weeks? (7 mins 56 secs)

Why the link workers are the key to maintaining joined up patient care during the pandemic (9 mins 16 secs)

Recruitment of a social prescribing link worker (11 mins 21 secs)

Maximising the effectiveness of a social prescribing link worker in practice (12 min 53 secs)

NHS England and NALW resources (14 mins 42 secs)

 

NHS England links, contacts and resources:

Guidance on the role social prescribing link workers in supporting the response to COVID 19

GP Preparedness Letter: 27 March and Covid/GP Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updated 6 April set out the role of the SPLW in supporting the response to COVID19

“Social prescribing link workers form part of the multidisciplinary teams in primary care networks (PCNs) and are uniquely placed to work closely with GPs, local authorities, health and care professionals and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support for these people whilst they are self-isolating.”

Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES) Specification 2020/21:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/network-contract-des-specification-pcn-requirements-entitlements-2020-21.pdf

Key sections for social prescribing link workers:

Learning and development (Annex B/B3.2)

Referrals to social prescribing link workers must be recorded using the SNOMED codes (Annex B/B3.6)

All the additional roles employed by a PCN or engaged via a sub-contract (including social prescribing link workers) must have access to other healthcare professionals, electronic ‘live’ and paper based record systems of the PCN’s Core Network Practices (section 6.4.1.)

Details on the NHSE delivery support offer

Social prescribing collaborative platform – with active discussion forum. To sign up to the collaborative platform, email [email protected]

Weekly webinars for SP link workers specific to the  COVID-19 response. More information is on the collaborative platform.

Regional learning coordinators facilitate virtual peer support for link workers and providing additional support and information.  Contact details available from [email protected]

Existing resources and support for social prescribing link workers (such as ) : https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/support-and-resources/

Regional facilitators and regional delivery teams available to support recruitment of link workers

 

Nicola has also included a blog she did for the National Academy of Social Prescribing: http://www.socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/time-to-come-together/

 

National Association of Link Workers resources and contacts:

Covid 19-Hub

Learning syllabus

Code of practice

Other resources