Referral Pathway

It is important to have a clear understanding of the actual social prescribing referral pathway the GP practice/healthcare professional is wanting to achieve as this will clarify if there are any Information Governance procedures required.

If we refer back to the spectrum of social prescribing activities we can advise what and when certain procedures are required to be in place. A Process Map provides an illustration of each step and is useful for including within a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) submission.

The Patient’s data journey will need to be considered and in addition if there is a requirement for feedback/reporting back to the GP Practice and/or the GP Link Worker from the Service Provider. Project evaluation and reporting on impact at individual, GP practice and community population health would be of benefit to aid future policy planning. This may be included as part of data analysis with current reporting procedures within Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the GP Link Worker Programme.

These Standard Operating Procedures are primarily focusing on what is termed as ‘Formal’ aspect of Social Prescribing as opposed to ‘Informal’ that provides basic sign-posting to an organisation. Within a formal social prescription a GP and/or Nurse has identified a non-medical social need for the patient and advises a referral to a group and/or activity delivered by a recognised organisation delivering a service within the local community.

As part of the referral pathway design further clarity is required to determine the level of assessment carried out by the Identifier (GP, Nurse other Healthcare Professional) is a level of readiness carried out at this first stage? Or is the Patient simply referred to the GP Link Worker to gain the readiness of the Patient?