Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Prescribing

Thursday 22 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Church of England is a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs green social prescribing advisory board.
  • The Church of England participates in community projects such as therapeutic gardening.
  • Community chaplains and clergy are involved in initiatives like new cycle routes to cathedrals and a GP social prescribing scheme linked to a church caf.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from interest in how the Church of England supports social prescribing, a method to improve health and wellbeing by connecting patients with non-medical services.

Question

What steps the Church of England is taking to support social prescribing within its communities?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England is a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs green social prescribing advisory board and works closely with members of the National Academy for Social Prescribing. The Church also participates in various community projects such as therapeutic gardening initiatives and cycle routes to cathedrals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken by the Church of England are not clearly outlined, only general involvement is mentioned.

How: I Am Very Pleased The Hon. Lady Has Asked This Question Because, Like Her, I Am A Big Supporter Of Social Prescribing

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS Religion & Faith
Context

Concern arises over the underutilization of trained clergy and community chaplains to support overwhelmed primary care services through social prescribing initiatives.

Question

While hospital chaplains play a crucial role in providing support within our NHS, our community chaplains and clergy are highly trained professionals and could play a far more integral role in the provision of community health, not least as primary care is completely overwhelmed currently. What further discussions have taken place between the Church Commissioners and the Department of Health and Social Care and also clergy and their local primary care networks on how they can support the social prescribing agenda in their communities?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for praising the valuable work that clergy do in this area. Examples include therapeutic gardening projects, new cycle routes to cathedrals, and the Joyful Connections café at St Luke's church in York linked to a GP social prescribing scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of ongoing discussions between Church Commissioners and Department of Health are not provided.

How: I Am Grateful To The Hon. Lady For Praising The Valuable Work That Clergy Do In This Area.

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