Hi everyone,
I had a phone call with my doctor the other week and he said that he would refer me to a social prescriber.
I have never heard of this before and the NHS website wasn't very illuminating.
Has anyone here been referred to one?
If you have was it worth it?
Thanks,
Becky.
Hi there, no sorry never heard of it before. Did you not think to ask what it was. I think that would have been my first reaction. Can you not ring the surgery and ask some one there. Maybe a good idea to find out what or who it is imo xx
Momo
PS just looked it up.
You'll connect people with non-medical support, such as day centres, charities or community groups, in the community to improve their wellbeing and tackle social isolation. Social prescribers usually work in a GP surgery, health centre of community organisation.
It doesnt sound fibro related more mental health help to me.
Thanks Dizzytwo,
I am finding taking information in difficult at the moment, I think my brain fog might have brain fog!, so your summary has really helped.
I had actually called the doctor about upping my dosage of anti depressants and a medication review. So it threw me a bit that instead of putting the phone down after sorting my medication like I thought he was going to he said he wanted to refer me to a social prescriber because he had also done that for another patient with fibro.
I think he briefly said what they did but I'd just gone for 2 nights without sleeping and I get anxious on the phone, and after the last doctor couldn't get me off the phone fast enough I had mentally prepared to say goodbye and it took me a moment to catch up with what was going on.
As my fibro and depression go hand in hand and both my physical and mental health aren't great at the moment perhaps my doctor thought that a social prescriber would help me cope.
Thanks for your help xx
Becky
Social prescribers are on more and more gp surgeries now - and their role is to privilege advice and support, and often signposting to other services
The charity often receives contact from social prescribers looking for information for their patients xxx
Is that the same as social worker?
No. Not a social worker at all. I would imagine they would be prescribing community groups, gyms, swimming, rambling, community cafe that sort of thing.
I think there are slight but crucial differences from what people have said here. Fom my limited experience with a social worker is that you are given a social worker by the council and they are more imposed on you while i was asked if I wanted to be referred to a social prescriber.
Morning. I saw one a few years ago.
They were based at my health centre (where my GP was). We had a chat about everything that was an issue/ bothering me, and he sent me some links, ie. meals on wheels/ community support workers, and referred me for some counselling. They want to ‘empower’ you, but I was in bits at the time, so he did the counselling referral with my consent.
It was nice that somebody cared to be honest, as I was feeling very isolated and sad at the time. Just chatting with him helped xxx
Based on these descriptions that position is called social worker here in the US.
That sounds good.
I was thinking about trying to find out what practical help I am entitled to but didn't know where to start. It sounds like a social prescriber would help me find this out.
I have had counselling with IAPT and it is helpful just to have someone listen and help you cope. My last counseller was a specialist in helping people with long term conditions with their mental health and it was good to speak to someone who realised a lot of things recommended to people with depression, like lots of exercise, was counterproductive to someone with ME and fibro.
I hope that the counselling helped you.
Becky
It did. Went through IAPT and eventually through their referral I managed to see a psychotherapist every week for a year. Helped enormously. Hope all goes well x
Disability/social security
Denied Social Security Disability Benefits
Dr will not prescribe effective pain relief 
Social services coming Today Re adaptions.
