A new digital social prescribing system has been introduced by the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) to address the increasing demand for mental health support.
The Access Elemental Social Prescribing platform was implemented in the ICB’s East locality in June 2024 and will be expanded to all localities by September 2024.
Social prescribing aims to connect individuals with community activities and services to address their health and wellbeing needs.
Through a two-year contract, the Access system allows patients to self-refer to social prescribing services for mental health support, streamlining processes and reducing reliance on paper documentation.
The platform is expected to alleviate pressure on primary care services by enhancing access to mental health resources.
Jennifer Neff, cofounder of Access Elemental Social Prescribing, stated: “Digital investment in social prescribing enables better collaboration, reduces health inequalities, and promotes community health and wellbeing.”
By integrating with various care systems, the platform offers centralized case management and tracking capabilities.
Population health management and analytic evaluations will be conducted across the ICB’s six localities using the Access Elemental Social Prescribing system.
Stephen O’Halloran, business manager at Birmingham East Central PCN, emphasized the benefits of a consistent digital referral system for diverse patient populations.
Efforts to bridge health disparities were underscored by Birmingham and Solihull ICB’s director of digital, Nick O’Reilly, at a healthcare event in July 2023.
