Social prescribing is a means for GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer patients to non-clinical services in the local community. Such services can include arts or nature-based activities, physical activity classes and counselling. Evaluations of existing social prescribing schemes have reported positive impacts on people’s mental health and wellbeing and a reduction in demand on health services.
Documents to download
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Future of healthcare in Oxfordshire (183 KB, PDF)
As part of the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) process, significant changes to healthcare in Oxfordshire have been proposed, including to maternity services, stroke care and critical care services.
Some of these proposals have proved controversial, particularly regarding changes to maternity services at Horton General Hospital, with several local authorities having applied jointly for judicial review against the decision.
NHS staffing is also an issue for Oxfordshire, with high housing costs reportedly affecting recruitment levels, and a higher than average number of EU nationals working in Oxfordshire hospitals.
More information on STPs and on NHS reconfiguration can be found in the following Commons Library briefing papers:
Documents to download
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Future of healthcare in Oxfordshire (183 KB, PDF)
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