Our group now has its own Social Prescriber in the shape of Cheryl Davies.
Around 20 per cent of patients who attend NHS surgeries have issues around social determinants that the GP cannot deal with.
Cheryl can help in this area, working with these people and working to improve the health and wellbeing of those with long term health conditions, the vulnerable and those who repeatedly attend out of hours services and A&E.
She can support people in making positive changes to their lives and have time to listen to 'the bigger picture' to help them identify goals to work towards. I can make referrals to other services, including foodbanks, counselling, pain management groups and fitness to name just a few. I can get help for people who have difficult forms to complete, support people with difficult conversations they need to have and refer to family services for those in need.
You can find out more about social prescribing by watching a short vidoe which you can access via this link
What is social prescribing? - YouTube
Cheryl's background is in Mental Health and she is a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor.
She is currently based at The Village Surgery at Lostock Hall but covers all the surgeries in our group.
She is able to offer a number of sessions up to 50mins each to work with patients on 'what matters to them'.
Cheryl is also an 'Orange Badge Holder' which means she has undergone intense training to work with patients affected by suicide issues.
If anyone wants to contact her for a consultation, they do not need to see a GP first and she can be contacted direct at cheryl.davies6@nhs.net or by calling any of our surgeries.