For the first time in 2022, Social Prescribing Day, which traditionally takes place in March, will become a whole week – and this year will focus on healthcare ‘beyond pills’, following the Government’s recent report into over-prescribing in England.
Social Prescribing Week will begin on March 4th, led by Dr Bogdan Chiva Giurca, a junior doctor and College of Medicine Council member, before Social Prescribing Day on March 10th.
In September, the Government published a report on the findings of Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, Dr Keith Ridge, on over-prescribing in England.
The report found that 10 per cent of prescription items dispensed through primary care are either inappropriate for patients’ needs or that they ‘could be better served with alternative treatments’.
The review outlines changes that aim to ensure ‘patients are receiving the most appropriate treatment for their needs while ensuring clinicians’ time is well spent and taxpayer money is spent wisely.’
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The report suggests that a tenth of medicines prescribed in England by primary care could be improved or aren’t appropriate, with 15 per cent of people currently using five or more medicines on a daily basis.
Around one in five hospital admissions in over-65s are caused by the adverse effects of medicines.
Social Prescribing Day has grown in popularity since it first began in 2020. It aims to celebrate the social prescribing movement by highlighting stories of progress, the importance of community.
How can I get involved in #SocialPrescribingDay?
More information on events will be announced shortly, but in the meantime, you can use customisable banners and logos via social media and email signatures to spread the word. There is a suite of resources available to download here.
So download the logo that we are displaying and personalise it for your scheme, then shout about the great work you are involved with. Use #SocialPrescribingDay for any social media so we can track the impact and reach. If you are doing something special, let us know at @Socialprescrib2 on Twitter.
