NHS England has produced new information on mental health resources and social prescribing guidelines to help GPs and link workers during the COVID-19 crisis – including webinars, discussion forums and advice on staying resilient. We’ve included some of the most useful links below:
You can read the latest update for general practice, including guidance for link workers here: NHS deployment of social prescribing link workers.
There are also references to how social prescribing can be used in the current crisis, with key information on how link workers can refer into the NHS Volunteers Scheme, including useful Q&As. Read more here: NHS volunteer responders: guidance for primary care professionals.
WEBINARS, DISCUSSIONS AND SUPPORT
Webinars focusing on issues relevant to social prescribing link workers take place every Wednesday between 1.30 and 2.30pm with topics so far including Social prescribing link workers: staying emotionally resilient during the coronavirus outbreak.
You can register here. (Event number: 843 312 576 Event password: link worker)
Recordings and slides from previous webinars can also be found on the Social Prescribing Collaboration Platform. If you are not already a member of the Collaboration Platform, email england.socialprescribing@nhs.net and follow the instructions in the email invitation which you will receive.
MENTAL HEALTH DURING COVID-19
The NHS Apps Library has an excellent range of apps for both mental and physical health. Many are free, although not all
10 tips to help if you are worried by coronavirus is part of Public Health England’s One You Every Mind Matters resources
Coronavirus and your wellbeing: Produced by mental health charity Mind
Dealing with bereavement and grief: Produced by Cruse specific to coronavirus
Local resilience forums: Find contact details for your local forum.
DISCUSSIONS
There’s an active discussion forum specific to coronavirus on the Collaboration Platform. This can be used at any time for peer support and to share questions or information. (It is not always monitored in real time.)
Drop-in Discussions:
Every Tuesday and Thursday between 1 and 1.30pm, one or more of our regional social prescribing associates is ‘live’ on the discussion forum, and ready to talk about the issues that you raise.
*If you are not already a member of the Collaboration Platform, email england.socialprescribing@nhs.net and follow the instructions in the email invitation which you will receive.
LEARNING SUPPORT
NHS England e-learning for social prescribing link workers is available on the Health Education England hub. Six modules are now live.
Coronavirus: learning for the health and care workforce: Health Education England’s e-learning modules are freely available to colleagues working in the NHS, independent sector and social care. The requirement to register and log in has been removed. The modules include one on wellbeing for staff.
More useful links:
Local Government Association guidance re vulnerable people
