Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what definition he uses to define social prescribing in the context of his Department's remit and policy.

Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker who takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

The Department leads on developing social prescribing policy and identifying areas for cross-governmental collaboration. It also works with NHSE to ensure the roll-out of social prescribing is carried out across the country.