Norwich Primary Care Network (PCN) and The Living Well Team
Norwich Primary Care Network triumphed as PCN of the year at the General Practice Awards 2022. Let’s take a look at the part that the Living Well Team plays.
The Norwich PCN points to its culture of innovative thinking and a dedication to working for the benefit of Norwich's’ patients, the 22 GP practices and the local health system. With this approach in mind, they have developed a range of services and roles to meet the ever-changing landscape of primary care.
One of these services is the Living Well Team, also known as Norwich Social Prescribing, and is led by our organisation.
A look at the Living Well Team
Norwich has a diverse population.
Many of these people will seek support for feelings of poor mental health such as anxiety and depression at their general practice as they have nowhere else to turn.
This visit will often culminate in a prescription for anti-depressants or other such medication which help the patient manage symptoms but avoid addressing the root causes behind their poor mental health. This also creates a strain on local healthcare systems as patients with lower risk issues take the place of patients in need of more urgent care.
This is where the Living Well Team steps in; they offer a holistic approach to treating patients which seeks to help them address their mental health by helping them solve these root issues. This support could take the form of a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.
There are many different models for social prescribing, but most involve a link worker, navigator or connector who works with people to access these local sources of support. This draws pressure away from General Practices and allows them to focus their resources on those who are in more desperate need.
The Living Well Team consists of a partnership formed between the PCN and five providers – Equal Lives, Mancroft Advice Project (MAP), Shelter (Eastern Region), Age UK (Norwich) and led by us; Norfolk Citizens Advice.
Not only do they use local health intelligence to identify local needs but they are able to provide a full spectrum of support.
Important Figures for the Living Well Team
22 practices actively referring (all practices in the PCN)
More than 1,000 people referred per year
Improvements across all self-reported outcomes
More than 1,000 shielding people supported during Covid
£1.15m social return on investment per year
£5m benefits in terms of better health based on quality-adjusted life years per year
When it comes to drawing pressure away from the local healthcare systems, the Living Well Team has been hugely successful. Early estimates suggest the Living Well Programme is achieving over £5m in savings for local healthcare each year.
And the PCN’s growing confidence in this partnership has given rise to the commission of further services including a type 2 diabetes programme with Age UK Norwich, and a GP high intensity user programme with one of the local trusts.
