Social prescribing approaches for migrants: call for evidence
Detail of outcome
Submissions received by Public Health England in response to this call for evidence were combined with a systematic search of research databases and grey literature to produce the peer-reviewed publication Social prescribing for migrants in the United Kingdom: A systematic review and call for evidence.
The findings from this systematic review informed the development of the social prescribing page in the migrant health guide. This page contains guidance for link workers and referrers to social prescribing programmes, as well as recommendations for monitoring, evaluation and research.
Please note that the Public Health England team leading this call for evidence transitioned into the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on 1 October 2021.
In response to the call for evidence on social prescribing approaches for migrant populations in the UK, Public Health England received 27 items submitted by 8 stakeholders. Of these, 25 items concerned the UK and 2 items concerned Europe or worldwide.
Stakeholders who submitted to this call for evidence spanned local government, local and national voluntary or third-sector organisations, academic institutions and clinical commissioning groups. Submitted items included published and unpublished programme reports, research studies, case studies and evidence compiled from consultation events.
These submissions will undergo a screening process for inclusion in the final report on social prescribing approaches for migrant populations. Findings will be made available on the migrant health guide.
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
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:
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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
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self-referral to link workers, facilitators, coordinators and navigators in the UK, who in turn assist individuals in reaching services and activities
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signposting from health care, social care or local agencies to services and activities
Migrant populations with no recourse to public funds are at greater risk of experiencing social exclusion and marginalisation. The definition of social prescribing may encompass directing an individual to a greater range of services and activities compared to those traditionally prescribed for the general population. This could include links to services providing food security, legal advice, financial advice, housing support, employment assistance and language services to address the upstream social determinants of health and wellbeing.
To complement an ongoing literature review, Public Health England (PHE) is inviting stakeholders to submit research data or reports (see details below for the formats that will be accepted) on 2 key areas to inform the review:
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Collations of migrants’ lived experiences after a social prescribing referral and its impact on their physical and mental health and wellbeing and changes in healthcare utilisation (in the UK only).
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Effectiveness of current examples of social prescribing models for migrants and their impact on their physical and mental health and wellbeing and changes in healthcare utilisation (in the UK, as well as health service delivery models in other EU and EEA countries that might inform provision in England).
We would like:
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information published between 1 January 2000 and 1 May 2020
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unpublished information related to research carried out between 1 January 2000 and 1 May 2020, including any ongoing research
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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)
We 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
Sending information
For published information, send only the details (to include authors, title, date, journal or publication details, including volume and issue number, and page numbers). Do not send a PDF, Word document or paper copy.
For unpublished information, send:
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a link to any relevant trials registered with the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
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paper or electronic copies of other relevant unpublished information.
Highlight any confidential sections (unpublished research or commercially sensitive information) in unpublished information.
Please forward this letter to any relevant organisations or individuals with expertise or experience in this field.
Email migrationhealth@phe.gov.uk with any relevant information by 5:30pm on Friday 30 October 2020.
Updates to this page
Last updated 2 November 2021 + show all updates
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Added final outcome of the call for evidence.
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Public feedback provided.
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First published.