Why this is important
Introduction
The HealthUnlocked eSocial Prescribing tool lets GPs easily deliver a digital social prescription to patients within their standard consultation. It directs patients to local services and voluntary sector support, high-quality, validated content and online peer support networks to help them manage a chronic health condition, as well as providing support to people who want to improve their wellbeing, such as getting active, eating healthily, losing weight, and dealing with anxiety and depression.
During Wave 1 of the Test Bed Programme it was enabled within 15 GP practices. It generated much positive feedback which has meant that our work with HealthUnlocked eSocial Prescription has continued beyond the Test Bed, as part of the Innovation Exchange Programme with UCLPartners, with the technology scaling beyond East London and product developments taking place.
This product is now active in 38 GP practices across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and over 2,000 electronic social prescriptions have been created.
The importance of scale
Data shows that 90% of social prescriptions sent to patients with a chronic health or wellbeing need have been opened, followed by 84% of people clicking on resources.
The highest numbers of prescriptions created for ‘wellbeing’ needs have been generated for ‘Healthy Eating’, ‘Lose Weight’ and ‘Getting Active’, corresponding well to significant local challenges around obesity and inactivity.
Now used by more than 160 healthcare professionals, the tool is deployed within primary care, hospitals, and other STP- level deployments.
Working with Care City has allowed us to understand the local context and needs of healthcare professionals and patients. We have been able to capture new features and developments that can improve the product itself.
