What is social prescribing and why does it matter?

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing provides a structured way for GPs to connect patients with non-clinical community supports to address common drivers of repeat presentations, including:

• social isolation
• mobility challenges
• low physical activity
• stress and mental wellbeing
• housing or practical needs

 

Why does it matter in general practice?

Social prescribing complements clinical care by addressing underlying social determinants, improving outcomes without adding to clinical burden.

• national modelling suggests scaling social prescribing could result in millions fewer GP appointments annually (National Academy for Social Prescribing, 2022)
• UK implementation has been associated with reductions of up to 40 per cent in GP visits and 25 per cent in emergency department presentations
• RACGP recognises social prescribing as an emerging tool to address loneliness in primary care

 

Find out more:

• WHO (2022): A toolkit on how to implement social prescribing
• Find local programs and refer patients
• Work in Liverpool LGA? Help shape the local pilot

 

Our nine-part series on Social Prescribing in general practice is provided by the Lurnea Community Hub as part of its pilot Social Prescribing Program.

 

---

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.