Patient Support Service
(Social Prescribing)
Working alongside GPs in local surgeries we assist people to address issues that may impact on, or be related to, their health and wellbeing.
The Patient Support Service at the Orchard Medical Centre supports people to improve their quality of life and increase confidence in managing their health. Patients can access the service if they have non clinical needs and would benefit from support to address them in the community. The team can assist people with social, emotional or practical needs, including: low mood, depression, anxiety, coping with pain, bereavement, caring for someone, isolation, or problems with finance, benefits and housing.
Everyone accessing this service is assigned a worker from the team who is able to spend longer with patients than primary care workers are usually able to (45 mins-1 hr) over 1-4 sessions.
Your worker will meet with you to discuss your social, emotional or practical needs and any issues that you feel are affecting your health. After talking to you about your current needs, and previous experiences of managing them, a patient support worker will work with you to develop a support plan to assist you in meeting your goals and help you to identify appropriate community resources.
The team have a broad knowledge of local services that might be of benefit to you and will support you to attend appointments, and accompany you to your first appointment, if required.
Social participation is related to reduced episodes of depression and psychological distress and making a contribution to, or feeling part of, a community can help to improve your well being and quality of life.
