Public Health England (PHE) is conducting an evidence review on social prescribing approaches for migrant populations in England in collaboration with University College London (UCL) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Social prescribing is a major component of the NHS England Long Term Plan and Universal Personalised Care. It is defined by the NHS as a method by which referrals from primary care professionals and local agencies, as well as self-referrals, are made to link workers, who in turn connect individuals with community, voluntary, statutory and other sector services intended to improve holistic health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing models can include:

  • direct referrals from primary health care, social care or local agencies made to link workers, facilitators, coordinators and navigators in the UK, who in turn assist individuals in reaching services and activities
  • self-referral to link workers, facilitators, coordinators and navigators in the UK, who in turn assist individuals in reaching services and activities
  • signposting from health care, social care or local agencies to services and activities

They would like:

  • information published between 1 January 2000 and 1 May 2020
  • unpublished information related to research carried out between 1 January 2000 and 1 May 2020, including any ongoing research
  • reports that summarise or collate migrants’ lived experiences, for example, organisational reports or internal evaluations of projects or services (the views, experiences and opinions of individual professionals, researchers, commentators or patients will not be included, however)

They are especially interested in the following outcomes for key area 2:

  • improved self-esteem and confidence
  • greater sense of control and empowerment
  • reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • improved knowledge and skills
  • improved social connectivity

This consultation closes at

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance has launched an Inclusion Health Audit Tool to help voluntary sector organisations measure and improve their engagement with Inclusion Health groups.

Inclusion Health groups are the communities which experience the poorest health outcomes across a range of indicators, including self-reported health, life expectancy and morbidity. Among these communities are four of the groups most vulnerable groups to health inequalities: sex workers, vulnerable migrants, homeless people and Gypsies and Travellers.

The audit tool diagnoses gaps in your organisation’s policy and action in working to tackle health inequalities and creates a unique guide which will help you to embed action on tackling health inequalities into your everyday activities. The online tool consists of five sections and takes around 15 minutes to complete.

Today, 14 February, sees the official launch of the new Web App New2UKHealth.

New2UKhealth is a web app helping migrants, refugees and visitors get information about health care services in the United Kingdom. This online platform enables migrants and local voices to connect and communicate, enabling faster integration and reduced strain on services.

New2UKHealth is the first ever online community to help people who are new to the UK to find out how to access healthcare, and help each other learn about healthcare works.

This web app hopes to help many many lives – but it can’t reach these people without your help!!

What can you do?

  • SHARE
  • Complete a survey
  • Become a volunteer
  • SHARE SOME MORE