The issue:
Many older adult presentations are driven by:
- loneliness
- loss of mobility
- caregiving strain
- life transitions
These are not resolved by clinical care alone.
Social prescribing provides an alternative pathway to address these underlying drivers.
Evidence:
A significant proportion of primary care presentations relate to non-medical needs (Percival et al., 2022).
A 2024 systematic review found group-based programs reduce loneliness (moderate certainty) along with digital and skills-based programs (Shekelle et al 2024).
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, 2 September 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.