LUMS to study NHS social prescribing

Lancaster University Management School has been selected to lead a new research project which will study how the NHS uses ‘social prescribing’ in South Cumbria and Lancashire.

Social prescribing involves health professionals referring patients to support in the community to improve their health and wellbeing.

The research will explore how such initiatives can expand and grow within integrated care systems to ensure they are accessible to those who need it most.

The North West of England is of particular interest as an area that faces inequalities in terms of accessing health services. As such, this project falls in line with the government’s levelling up ambitions and its regional insights could be shared more widely to benefit communities nationally.

The study has been commissioned by the Medical Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council after its Scale up health inequality prevention and intervention strategies’ scheme received a £180,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Dr Mahsa Honary from Lancaster University Management School will lead the new project with support from the University of Brighton, and partner organisations including Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS and community-based social prescribing providers Green Close (Art organization), Mandala Preston CIC, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and The Gathering Fields wellbeing centre.

Dr Honary said: "Our project will look specifically at how social prescribing is currently delivered as part of NHS in the region, exploring its challenges and benefits.

"By working with the NHS and our experienced social prescribing partners who are already providing an extensive programme of art, nature and physical activities in partnership with our local NHS, we will see academics who are experts in management and computing and health research join forces with health care providers, GPs, Social Prescribing link workers, patients and third sector organisations to produce a set of recommendations - ensuring all voices are heard."

After conducting theoretical research and a series of in-depth interviews and focus groups during the project, researchers will compile a series of recommendations and map out current and ideal ‘referral models’ for social prescribing which will then be presented during a ‘citizens jury’ event towards the end of the project.