Bring social prescribers into the workplace, says report

Social prescribing should be made available in the workplace, as well as in healthcare settings, to reach young people at risk of economic inactivity due to sickness, a report has found.

The NHS Confederation report looked at how to tackle the causes of long-term sickness and economic activity, with around 900,000 more economically inactive people since 2020 across the UK, 85% of which are long-term sick.

It suggested one of the solutions was to mandate employers to provide access to social prescribing in the workplace to address social determinants of health before people drop out of the workplace.

The report, called Improving our nation’s health: a whole-of-government approach to tackling the causes of long-term sickness and economic inactivity, suggested that young people in particular would be ‘more likely’ to engage with social prescribers in the workplace rather than primary care.

Social prescribing link workers are currently the third most popular ARRS role within PCNs behind pharmacists and care coordinators, although recent figures suggest a slight decrease in staff numbers.

The report said: ‘Social prescribers can provide an early intervention for people who are struggling at work. This would allow for additional support and a form of triage to better support an individual’s needs, including for those with MSK conditions who would benefit from a referral to occupational health.’

‘These improvements could be particularly effective in addressing the segment experiencing the fastest percentage growth in economic inactivity, 18–24-year-olds,’ it added.

‘This group may be more likely to engage with social prescribing in an employment setting than primary care, which they may not interact with as frequently. Targeting this segment is crucial to prevent long-term disengagement from the workforce amongst the youngest members of society.’

CEO of the National Academy of Social Prescribing, Charlotte Osborn-Forde, ‘strongly welcomed’ the recommendation to use social prescribing to support those in employment.

She said: ‘Social prescribing is a holistic approach which considers all elements of a person’s life and helps them to connect with enjoyable and supportive activities to improve wellbeing and address issues.

‘There is evidence that this is a highly effective and low-cost approach, which people with health concerns value, and employers should consider how they can help people to access social prescribing services. Social prescribing has huge potential to be a key plank within a whole government approach to tackling economic activity.’

The report also suggested ‘there could be value’ in reviewing the way career advice can be given outside of Jobcentres and in other places in the community, such as GP practices.

It said there were ‘already examples of effective co-location’ in other settings, such as PCNs.

‘We support co-locating services whether in Jobcentres, GP surgeries other settings, providing it is the most effective location based on local need,’ it added.

The analysis, carried out with consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, said that ‘reintegrating’ between half and three-quarters of people who have dropped out of the workplace for reasons of ill health since 2020 could unlock up to £57bn in fiscal revenue over the next five years and boost GDP by around £109-177bn (2-3% in 2029).

It also suggested there needs to be a whole government approach to the issue, as the solution was ‘beyond just clinical care’.