The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care?

Article


Frostick, C. and Bertotti, M. 2021. The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care? Chronic Illness. 17 (4), pp. 404-415. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395319882068
AuthorsFrostick, C. and Bertotti, M.
Abstract

Objective
To identify the training, skills and experience social prescribing Link Workers, working with patients presenting with long term conditions, need to carry out their role safely and effectively with in primary care services.
Method
Qualitative data were collected from Link Workers as part of the evaluation of three social prescribing schemes. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed.
Results
Link Workers describe the complexity of the work and the need to define the boundaries of their role within existing services. Previous life and work experience were invaluable and empathy was seen as a key skill. A variety of training was valued with counselling skills felt to be most critical. Clinical supervision and support were felt to be essential to conduct the work safely.
Discussion
Social prescribing is a significant theme within UK health policy and internationally and schemes in primary care services are common. Patient accounts consistently suggest that the Link Worker is key to the success of the pathway. Link Workers can facilitate positive behaviour change, however they must be recruited, trained and supported with a clear understanding of the demands of this complex role.

JournalChronic Illness
Journal citation17 (4), pp. 404-415
ISSN1742-3953
Year2021
PublisherSAGE Publications
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395319882068
Publication dates
Online17 Oct 2019
Publication process dates
Accepted03 Sep 2019
Deposited03 Sep 2019
Copyright holder© 2019 The Authors
Copyright informationAs accepted for publication in Chronic Illness: Frostick, C., Bertotti, M., 'The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care?', Chronic Illness, 17 (4) pp. 404-415. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395319882068.
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/86z84

Download files


Accepted author manuscript
Frostick & Bertotti (2019).pdf
License: All rights reserved
File access level: Anyone

  • 344
    total views
  • 745
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Barriers and facilitators to social prescribing in child and youth mental health: Perspectives from the frontline
Hayes, D., Olsson, A., Begum, S., Bertotti, M., Jarvis-Beesley, P. and Stapley, E. 2024. Barriers and facilitators to social prescribing in child and youth mental health: Perspectives from the frontline. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 33, pp. 1465-1479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02257-x
Building the economic evidence case for social prescribing
Polley, M., Seers, H., Toye, O., Henkin, T., Waterson, H., Bertotti, M. and Chatterjee, H.J. 2023. Building the economic evidence case for social prescribing. London National Academy for Social Prescribing.
Link Workers in Social Prescribing for Young People work: a case study from Sheffield
Farina, I., Bertotti, M., Masella, C. and Sangiorgi, D. 2023. Link Workers in Social Prescribing for Young People work: a case study from Sheffield. International Journal of Integrated Care. 24 (Art. 8), pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7551
Common health assets protocol: a mixed-methods, realist evaluation and economic appraisal of how community-led organisations (CLOs) impact on the health and well-being of people living in deprived areas
Baker, R. M., Ahmed, M., Bertotti, M., Cassidy, J., Chipuriro, R., Clewett, E., Donaldson, C., Elders, A., Fenge, L. A., Fox, J., Galway, K., Gildea, A., McGuinness, A., McLean, J., Manoukian, S., Mason, H., Morgan, A., Mulholland, J., O'Hare, L., Paterson, A., Porter, S., Rendall, J., Roy, M. J., Seaman, P., Simpson, M., Steiner, A. and Kelly, M. P. 2023. Common health assets protocol: a mixed-methods, realist evaluation and economic appraisal of how community-led organisations (CLOs) impact on the health and well-being of people living in deprived areas. BMJ Open. 13 (Art. e069979). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069979
Evaluation of the Integrated Social Prescribing Model in Redbridge
Bertotti, M., Hanafiah, A. and Canitrot, D. 2022. Evaluation of the Integrated Social Prescribing Model in Redbridge. Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London.
Do people perceive benefits in the use of social prescribing to address loneliness and/or social isolation? A qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature
Liebmann, M., Pitman, A., Hsueh, YC., Bertotti, M. and Pearce, E. 2022. Do people perceive benefits in the use of social prescribing to address loneliness and/or social isolation? A qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature. BMC Health Services Research. 22 (Art. 1264). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08656-1
Social prescribing for children and young people
Bertotti, M., Hayes, D., Berry, V., Jarvis-Beesley, P. and Husk, K. 2022. Social prescribing for children and young people. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health . 6 (12), pp. 835-837. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00248-6
Factors affecting the sustainability of community mental health assets: A systematic review
Moore, A., Bertotti, M., Hanafiah, A. and Hayes, D. 2022. Factors affecting the sustainability of community mental health assets: A systematic review. Health and Social Care in the Community. 30 (6), pp. e3369-e3383. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13929
A two-year evaluation of the Young People Social Prescribing (YPSP) pilot
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Sharpe, D. and Temirov, O. 2020. A two-year evaluation of the Young People Social Prescribing (YPSP) pilot. Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London.
An Evaluation of Social Prescribing in the London Borough of Redbridge: Final Evaluation Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C. and Temirov, O. 2020. An Evaluation of Social Prescribing in the London Borough of Redbridge: Final Evaluation Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Outcome and Economic Evaluation of City and Hackney Social Prescribing Scheme
Bertotti, M. and Temirov, O. 2020. Outcome and Economic Evaluation of City and Hackney Social Prescribing Scheme. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Evaluation of Redbridge Active Together: Final Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Temirov, O., Sanusi, O., Dan-Ogosi, I. and Buscombe, R. 2020. Evaluation of Redbridge Active Together: Final Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Investing resources to address social factors affecting health: The essential role of social prescribing
Jani, A., Bertotti, M., Lazzari, A., Drinkwater, C., Addarii, F., Conibear, J. and Gray, M. 2020. Investing resources to address social factors affecting health: The essential role of social prescribing. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 113 (1), pp. 24-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076819864
A Systematic Map of the UK Literature on Navigation Roles in Primary Care: Social Prescribing Link Workers in Context
Bertotti, M., Haque, H., Lombardo, C., Potter, S. and Harden, A. 2019. A Systematic Map of the UK Literature on Navigation Roles in Primary Care: Social Prescribing Link Workers in Context. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Social Prescribing in General Practice
Frostick, C. and Bertotti, M. 2019. Social Prescribing in General Practice. British Journal of General Practice. 68 (688), pp. 538-539. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19X706157
The Impact of Academies on School Connectedness, Future Aspirations and Mental Health in Adolescents from Areas of Deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Tong, Jin, Moore, D., Renton, A. and Netuveli, G. 2018. The Impact of Academies on School Connectedness, Future Aspirations and Mental Health in Adolescents from Areas of Deprivation in London. Pastoral Care in Education. 36 (4), pp. 325-342. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2018.1528626
A realist evaluation of social prescribing: an exploration into the context and mechanisms underpinning a pathway linking primary care with the voluntary sector
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Hutt, Patrick, Sohanpal, Ratna and Carnes, Dawn 2018. A realist evaluation of social prescribing: an exploration into the context and mechanisms underpinning a pathway linking primary care with the voluntary sector. Primary Health Care Research & Development. 19 (3), pp. 232-245. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423617000706
A review of the evidence assessing impact of social prescribing on healthcare demand and cost implications
Polley, Marie, Bertotti, M., Kimberlee, Richard and Pilkington, K. 2017. A review of the evidence assessing impact of social prescribing on healthcare demand and cost implications. University of Westminster.
Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community
Bertotti, M., Dan-Ogosi, I. and Rao, Mala 2017. Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. 10 (2), pp. 86-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2016-0035
The Social Prescribing Service in the London Borough of Waltham Forest: Final Evaluation Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Tong, J. and Netuveli, G. 2017. The Social Prescribing Service in the London Borough of Waltham Forest: Final Evaluation Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
The impact of a social prescribing service on patients in primary care: a mixed methods evaluation
Carnes, Dawn, Sohanpal, Ratna, Frostick, C., Hull, Sally, Mathur, Rohini, Netuveli, G., Tong, Jin, Hutt, Patrick and Bertotti, M. 2017. The impact of a social prescribing service on patients in primary care: a mixed methods evaluation. BMC Health Services Research. 17 (Art. 835). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2778-y
Well London: Results of a community engagement approach to improving health among adolescents from areas of deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Watts, P., Netuveli, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2017. Well London: Results of a community engagement approach to improving health among adolescents from areas of deprivation in London. Journal of Community Practice. 25 (2), pp. 235-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2017.1309611
From Isolation to Interaction: Developing a Network, to Share Learning, Develop Outcome Measures, and Endure the Potential Of Social Prescribing Meets the Needs of the NHS
Bertotti, M. and Frostick, C. 2016. From Isolation to Interaction: Developing a Network, to Share Learning, Develop Outcome Measures, and Endure the Potential Of Social Prescribing Meets the Needs of the NHS. The Health Foundation.
The Educational and Employment Aspirations of Adolescents from Areas of High Deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Phillips, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2015. The Educational and Employment Aspirations of Adolescents from Areas of High Deprivation in London. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 45 (6), pp. 1126-1140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0347-4
Shine 2014 Final Report: Social Prescribing: integrating GP and Community Assets for Health
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Findlay, G., Harden, A., Netuveli, G., Renton, A., Carnes, D., Sohanpal, R. and Hull, S. 2015. Shine 2014 Final Report: Social Prescribing: integrating GP and Community Assets for Health. The Health Foundation.
Changes in health outcomes in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients in the Newham Community Prescribing pilot project: analysis of pre and post data
Bertotti, M., Watts, P., Akhter, I. and Eselebor, D. 2014. Changes in health outcomes in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients in the Newham Community Prescribing pilot project: analysis of pre and post data. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Types of Social Capital and Mental Disorder in Deprived Urban Areas: A Multilevel Study of 40 Disadvantaged London Neighbourhoods
Bertotti, M., Watts, Paul, Netuveli, G., Yu, Ge, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Lais, Shahana and Renton, A. 2013. Types of Social Capital and Mental Disorder in Deprived Urban Areas: A Multilevel Study of 40 Disadvantaged London Neighbourhoods. PLoS ONE. 8 (12), p. e80127.
Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life
Kushnerenko, E., Tomalski, P., Ballieux, H., Potton, A., Birtles, D., Frostick, C. and Moore, D. 2013. Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life. Frontiers in Psychology. 4 (432).
Physical activity in deprived communities in London: examining individual and neighbourhood-level factors
Watts, Paul, Phillips, G., Petticrew, Mark, Hayes, Richard, Bottomley, Christian, Yu, Ge, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Moore, D., Frostick, C., Lock, Karen and Renton, A. 2013. Physical activity in deprived communities in London: examining individual and neighbourhood-level factors. PLoS ONE. 8 (7), p. e69472. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069472
Key barriers to community cohesion: views from residents of 20 London deprived neighbourhoods
Bertotti, M., Adams-Eaton, F., Sheridan, K. and Renton, A. 2011. Key barriers to community cohesion: views from residents of 20 London deprived neighbourhoods. GeoJournal. 47 (2), pp. 168-183.
The contribution of a social enterprise to the building of social capital in a disadvantaged urban area of London
Bertotti, M., Harden, A., Renton, A. and Sheridan, K. 2012. The contribution of a social enterprise to the building of social capital in a disadvantaged urban area of London. Community Development Journal. 47 (2), pp. 168-183.
Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance
Syrett, Stephen and Bertotti, M. 2012. Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance. Environment and Planning A. 44 (10), pp. 2310-2326.
A multilevel analysis of the association between social networks and support on leisure time physical activity: evidence from 40 disadvantaged areas in London
Yu, Ge, Renton, A., Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, Patrick, Bertotti, M., Watts, P. and Lais, Shahana 2011. A multilevel analysis of the association between social networks and support on leisure time physical activity: evidence from 40 disadvantaged areas in London. Health & Place. 17 (5), pp. 1023-1029.
The Well London program - a cluster randomized trial of community engagement for improving health behaviors and mental wellbeing: baseline survey results
Phillips, G., Renton, A., Moore, D., Bottomley, Christian, Schmidt, Elena, Lais, Shahana, Yu, Ge, Wall, Martin, Tobi, P., Frostick, C., Clow, Angela, Lock, Karen, Petticrew, Mark and Hayes, Richard 2012. The Well London program - a cluster randomized trial of community engagement for improving health behaviors and mental wellbeing: baseline survey results. Trials. 13 (105).
During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis
Moore, D., Turner, J., Parrott, A.C., Goodwin, J.E., Fulton, S., Min, M.O., Fox, H.C., Braddick, F.M.B., Toplis, A.S., Axelsson, E.L., Lynch, S., Ribeiro, H., Frostick, C. and Singer, L.T. 2010. During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 24 (9), pp. 1403-1410.