van der Graaf Peter, McCarthy Andrew, Perumbakkam Subramanian Murali Krishnan, Arnott Bronia, Samarakoon Dilupa, Lee Sarah, Gray Joanne, Bate Angela
Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
BMJ Open Qual. 2025 Jun 8;14(2):e003290. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2024-003290.
Despite social prescribing being promoted by the UK government for the last decade, the evidence supporting social prescribing remains weak and has mainly been confined to clinical contexts. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of a Social Navigator (SN) service in South Tyneside on the health and well-being of users who experience financial hardship with complex health needs and limited access to mental health services.Using a mixed-methods design combining secondary analysis of service data (n=330), qualitative interviews with service users (n=15) conducted by peer researchers, and a social return On investment analysis that matched service data with health economic indicators from the UK Social Value Bank.Our findings demonstrate clear value for money with a £3 return for every £1 invested in the service, with a positive return confirmed in sensitivity analysis. SNs were able to improve the confidence of service users, with statistically significant changes across all eight confidence-related outcomes, and helped them to access other advice and financial services. This resulted in one-off financial gains (average £1237) and annual financial gains (average £1703) for service users. The interviews identified that relieving financial burden and stress improved the quality of life and mental well-being of users as a result of their involvement with the service.SN can break the cycle of multiple visits to crisis teams by building trusting relationships and providing emotional and practical support, while being responsive to the service users' needs and available when they have needs. They play a key intermediary role in integrated care systems with a unique focus on the wider determinants of health and financial hardship, advocating for service users without time limits and navigating the complexities of the system across local government. Greater integration of local support services could be achieved by mapping all available pathways for support.
尽管在过去十年中英国政府一直在推广社会处方，但支持社会处方的证据仍然薄弱，且主要局限于临床背景。我们的研究旨在评估南泰恩赛德的社会导航员（SN）服务对那些面临经济困难、有复杂健康需求且难以获得心理健康服务的用户的健康和福祉的影响。采用混合方法设计，结合对服务数据的二次分析（n = 330）、同行研究人员对服务用户进行的定性访谈（n = 15），以及将服务数据与英国社会价值银行的健康经济指标相匹配的社会投资回报分析。我们的研究结果表明，该服务性价比高，每投入1英镑可获得3英镑的回报，敏感性分析也证实了这一积极回报。社会导航员能够提高服务用户的信心，在所有八项与信心相关的结果中都有统计学上的显著变化，并帮助他们获得其他建议和金融服务。这为服务用户带来了一次性经济收益（平均1237英镑）和年度经济收益（平均1703英镑）。访谈发现，减轻经济负担和压力改善了用户因参与该服务而产生的生活质量和心理健康。社会导航员可以通过建立信任关系、提供情感和实际支持来打破多次求助危机团队的循环，同时响应服务用户的需求，并在他们有需要时随时提供帮助。他们在综合护理系统中发挥着关键的中介作用，特别关注健康和经济困难的更广泛决定因素，无时限地为服务用户代言，并在地方政府层面应对系统的复杂性。通过梳理所有可用的支持途径，可以实现地方支持服务的更大整合。
