The College of Medicine and the Social Prescribing Network UK, in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England, welcomed delegates to the first National Social Prescribing Conference for medical students and junior doctors.

A one-day conference aimed at medical students and junior doctors from all years of training with an interest in Primary Care, General Practice, Social Prescribing, Lifestyle Medicine, Social Determinants of Health, and Social Care attended this exciting event.

‘At medical school we were taught about the social determinants of health but not that we can change them. Now I know we can,’ enthused one delegate.

GP Sir Sam Everington’ offered his views of the day, saying: “It was a totally inspiring conference, the best I have been to in years, filling me with massive energy to promote social prescribing.

“It is very clear to me that the vast majority of medical schools are unable to change at pace to take into account both the importance of the social determinants of health, the needs of the new generation and the revolution of artificial intelligence that is just around the corner.

“These pioneering and inspirational students are the future, but feel constantly held back by many of their teachers, when their teachers are the ones that should be creatively challenging them to be the doctors of the future.”

Founder of the National Social Prescribing Student Champion Scheme, Bogdan Chiva Giurca addresses delegates