Topic: Social Prescribing

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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

Welcome to our nine-part series on Social Prescribing in general practice, provided by the Lurnea Community Hub as part of its pilot Social Prescribing Program.

While the pilot is limited to practices in Liverpool, this series has been designed to provide useful information and practical insights for all practices.

Each edition provides a concise, practice-focused snapshot of how social prescribing can support GPs, particularly when patients present with social, emotional or practical needs which drive repeat consultations.

Across the series, we will cover:

• what social prescribing is
• why it matters in general practice
• what referral options exist
• models which work in practice
• evidence on loneliness, wellbeing, and GP demand
• practical implementation insights

This series draws on systematic reviews, national modelling and WHO guidance to provide an accessible summary for busy clinicians.

 

Growing momentum in general practice

RACGP Social Prescribing Specific Interests Group has grown significantly over the past two years from 400 to 800 GPs nationally.

They are widespread and vary in interest areas within social prescribing, with some being strong advocates for Parkrun, others for pickleball, some for nature-based social prescribing and a few leading the way creating their own local community health expos, gardening groups, swim clubs or shared medical appointment-modelled yarn-ups in central Australia with our First Nations people.

The passion and movement for social prescribing is strong and much needed for our current syndemic of chronic diseases, mental illness and societal problems, as well as the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness.

Join the group chat

If you practise in the Liverpool LGA, you’ll also see opportunities to express your interest in shaping local approaches.

 

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This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 5 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.