Social prescribing is an emerging, holistic approach to healthcare that addresses social issues to enhance health, well-being, and quality of life. Trusted professionals, like clinicians, can refer individuals to link workers who co-design personalised plans to connect them with services and activities to address non-medical needs. These models offer practical and emotional community support through activities like arts, gardening, book clubs, and cooking. They may also assist with filling out medical forms or dispute resolution applications to enhance living arrangements.
While widely adopted in countries like the UK, the concept is still gaining traction in Australia, where unique cultural, geographic, and systemic factors require a tailored approach. This presentation will explore the terminology and principles of social prescribing, highlighting its relevance in health promotion and individuals recovering from stroke.
We will discuss the key components of social prescribing, including its ability to improve health outcomes by reducing social isolation, enhancing mental well-being, and addressing barriers such as financial hardship or limited access to services. The session will outline who can benefit from social prescribing, the interdisciplinary teams involved (including general practitioners, allied health professionals, social workers, and community organisations), and how the model can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations, including regionality and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
Additionally, we will address funding models and the challenges of integrating social prescribing into Australia's healthcare system, emphasising the importance of collaboration between health services, government agencies, and the community sector. By fostering collaboration, social prescribing offers a pathway to more holistic stroke prevention and recovery strategies.