This timely event will take a deep dive into the different dimensions surrounding social prescribing, breaking down the term and analysing the multitude of facets which constitute the social prescribing network.

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a profound direct and indirect impact on the health of the population. It has increased loneliness, with the Office for National Statistics showing that in February 2021, 3.7 million adults have reported that they are ‘often’ or ‘always’ lonely through the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), a significant increase from the 2.6 million in Spring 2020. Mental health issues have similarly seen a sharp increase with 21% of adults experiencing depression in January 2021 compared to 10% prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The NHS is also experiencing record waiting lists for routine operations, the current figure stands at 5.3 million, with the Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid warning that this could rise to 13 million and GPs reported to be at breaking point.

These are large and pressing challenges which must be addressed and social prescribing will play a critical role in the initial recovery from the pandemic and to make improvements in the long term.

This event will evaluate the current state of social prescribing, integration with primary care, and important targets for expansion. Tackling the root cause of the increased demand in services, analysing strategies to create an efficient whole systems approach in improving the health of the community and in turn the nation, reducing health inequalities across regions and age groups.