Lottery cash injection for innovative NI health project that supports patients "beyond medication"
Three-year initiative will ease pressure on GP services
More than £3m in lottery funds is being invested in a unique project that aims to ease pressure on GP services and improve the health of patients across Northern Ireland at the same time.
The Big Lottery cash injection will allow the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum in Londonderry to develop a three-year initiative whereby doctors will be able to refer patients to take part in community activities, thereby helping reduce their isolation and dependence on medication.
A total of 60 GP practices will be involved in the project which will be carried out in partnership with the Healthy Living Centre Alliance and the province’s five health trusts.
Seamus Ward, general manager of Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum explained how the project will work. “Social prescribing acts as a link between the health service and the community and provides care and support for people that goes beyond medication.
“For example, for people who are lonely or isolated, there is no medical intervention which can help with this, but being part of your community, going to clubs, being engaged with things you enjoy, can help.
“Many GPs have patients who are making regular unnecessary appointments because they don’t know where else to go. So we are taking the pressure off the GPs and making more time for them to see people who need medical care. Through the pilot GPs fed back that the number of people returning for non-medical care was being reduced. It’s less strain on their services, and waiting lists for appointments are being reduced.”
The project will employ three social prescribers who will work with GPs across NI. The GP will refer the patient to the social prescriber who will then contact the patient to talk to them about what they need then refer them to the relevant community activity.
Seamus added: “After three years we want to see a sustainable service which is integrated into what the GPs are doing. It’s great to achieve this positive impact for GPs and the health service but the most important thing to us is making a difference to peoples’ lives. We also believe that this will reduce health service spend in the long run.”
Patient Ena Kerr (77), pictured, regularly attended her GP surgery until she was referred to the pilot project in January. She is now attending local classes every week in her community and has only visited the GP once since then.
“I’ve a number of long term health conditions – diabetes, degeneration of the spine and angina – but when I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago I really went on a downward spiral. I was diagnosed with cancer twice and was lucky that on both occasions they were caught early so I didn’t have to have chemotherapy, but having surgery twice was a big thing to process and it was very hard mentally.
“I was a regular at my GP, it was one of my only motivations to get out - the GP, the chemist and the food shop. The more time I spent in the house, the more isolated I felt and the lower I sank, the less I wanted to talk to people so I stopped contacting my friends.
“To help me feel less lonely and get me active my GP recommended that I get involved with some classes provided by Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum. I was unsure but I thought I’d give it a go.
“It’s now the highlight of my week. My confidence has grown so much and it’s all thanks to my GP referring me to this project. Not only am I happier and more confident, but my health is improving too. My blood sugar levels are better and I’m in less pain. I haven’t been going to the doctor as much and I feel so inspired that I’m doing exercises at home now too.
“I lost my cheekiness for a while, but I’m feeling like myself again and I have my spark back. I’m feeling younger and although I still have lows, I’m not hiding away."