PATIENTS at more than a dozen GP surgeries across Colchester will be signposted to practical and emotional support as a new "social prescription" is rolled out across the borough.

Charity Community360 and the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have joined forces to launched the My Social Prescription scheme at 17 doctors in Colchester, Stanway, Mersea, Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and Tiptree over the next two years.

Social prescribing is when GPs or medical practitioners signpost patients to services to improve their wellbeing, such as community groups or services which provide practical or emotional support.

The offering is tailored to the needs of each individual surgery and includes things like parent groups, weight management organisations and social get togethers.

The My Social Prescription scheme has already been trialled successfully at surgeries like Parsons Heath Medical Practice, where 700 patients conversations have taken place since it launched.

Tracy Rudling, Community360 CEO, said: "We are pleased to be working with the North East Essex CCG to deliver social prescribing into the additional 17 surgeries over the next two years.

"The dedication and hard work of all of those involved in launching and delivering My Social Prescription is commendable and something that is so needed to ensure that people in our communities are signposted correctly to the help they need.”

Pam Green, Chief Operating Officer at the North East Essex CCG, added: "Social prescribing is vital to help our communities to access important information to improve their health and to feel socially included.

"Partnership work with the voluntary sector to support the health and wellbeing of our population is the way forward for primary care.”

The surgeries where the My Social Prescription is rolling out are:

  • Castle Gardens Medical Centre
  • East Hill Surgery
  • Parsons Heath Medical Practice
  • Wimpole Road Surgery
  • Shrub End Surgery
  • Abbeyfield Medical Centre
  • Ambrose Avenue Group Practice
  • Tollgate Practice
  • Bluebell Surgery
  • Highwoods Surgery
  • Creffield Medical Centre
  • Mill Road Surgery
  • Winstreet Medical Practice
  • Wivenhoe Medical Practice
  • Rowhedge Surgery
  • Tiptree Medical Centre
  • Mersea Island Medical Practice.

Visit community360.org.uk.