11 Mar Local people to benefit from ‘Dance on Prescription’
Today (10 March) is social prescribing day.
Social prescribers are a new role introduced into GP practices to help support the wellbeing of local residents by connecting people to practical and emotional local community support.
As part of a new social prescribing offer in Basildon, ‘Dance on Prescription’ has been introduced. GP practices from the Basildon Central Primary Care Network are working in collaboration with Basildon Council and Active Essex with selected groups of patients to help improve health outcomes, working differently and in partnership, to benefit health outcomes for local people.
‘Dance on Prescription’ supports residents to enjoy a better quality of life through dancing. Selected patients are prescribed dancing to help improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. Classes are led by professional dance teachers at a community centre in Pitsea and shortly to be launched at the Beach Community Hub. There are also sessions at local care homes and a supported housing complex.
The programme has been devised by local GP Practice Manager, Dr Sue Truman. It is currently being offered to selected patients at the six surgeries in the Central Basildon Primary Care Network. The programme also links to walking groups in the Central Basildon Primary Care Network locality.
Dr Truman said: “It’s about dance, it’s about movement, it’s about bringing people together and about improving people’s health outcomes both physically and mentally. “The benefits of ‘Dance on Prescription’ are not only health, but it’s also about lowering blood pressure, feeling better in yourself and engaging with other people and becoming a full part of society and being in society.”
There are many reasons people visit their GP. They may be feeling stressed about their work, finances, or feeling lonely and isolated all of which can impact our physical and mental wellbeing.
Social prescribing link workers, based in GP practices take referrals, for example from GPs or practice nurses, and then take time to build trusting relationships, starting with what matters to the person, create a shared plan and introduce people to local community support.
