Ascent Social Prescribing

Social Prescribers - Karen Hall, Jackie Halpin, Charlotte Stone

Role Overview 

Social prescribing link workers give people time to discuss their "story" and concerns, focusing on ‘what matters to me?’ to coproduce a simple personalised care and support plan, and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing. Often confused with "social workers" or "social services" with the council, the Social Prescribers support you to improve your wellbeing through social activities, support and advice and self-motivation. Social services provide assessments for providing help with day to day function and personal care via the city council. 

Social prescribing link workers support existing community groups to be accessible and signposting patients to appropriate groups and activities to benefit their path to improving wellbeing.

Social prescribing is an all-age, whole population approach that works particularly well for people who:

  • have one or more long term conditions
  • who need support with low level mental health issues
  • who are lonely or isolated
  • who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing
  • have financial, housing or employment stressors impacting on their wellbeing

Our team of Social Prescribers listen to patients and link them to their community services, for example Age UK, Citizen's Advice, activity groups and so on. They can facilitate personalised outcomes to improve/maintain health and wellbeing using those community connections and advice services.

We partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau "Advice on Prescription" service, as well as the rest of the PCN multi-disciplinary team (Occupational Therapy and frailty assessors, Health Coaches, Physiotherapy, Pharmacists, Care Co-ordinators) to work together to provide best care possible, by the right people at the right time.

Appointments:
Available by referral - from your GP Reception team, via Online Consultation submissions, or on the recommendation one of your Practice clinicians. 

Social Work Assistant

Luke Sullivan is our experienced Social Work Assistant, provided by Milton Keynes City Council. 
He will accept referrals from any member of the PCN or practice team (including reception/care navigators) as long as it meets the service criteria and is for patients within the MK council tax area. Bedfordshire patients need to be referred by their GP or self-refer to their council services.
 
Luke can assess adults for:
  • Personal care needs e.g. washing, dressing, toileting, risk reduction
  • Meals preparation assistance
  • Re-enablement (e.g after a hospital stay) or respite (to avoid a hospital stay)
  • Some care home assessments
  • Carer assessments
  • Day centres for cognitively impaired patients

Patients with Severe Mental Health or with Learning Disabilities and Autism are cared for by their own specialist teams. See the MK Council Social Care website to find your most appropriate team. Link HERE.