THE chair of Maldon's local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has welcomed the introduction of 'social prescribing link workers' to GPs' surgeries across the district, saying they will offer direct help to those in need with problems including loneliness, anxiety, unemployment and bereavement.

It is also hoped the scheme will free up doctors to spend more time with people with complex health needs.

Dr Anna Davey, a GP and chair of Mid Essex CCG, said: "The role isn't just about sign posting people to services - it is about ensuring people get the right support from relevant community resources.

"Through personalised support, social prescribing link workers can help people who don't necessarily require clinical treatment by referring them to community groups and voluntary organisations running a range of activities from benefits advice, singing and cooking classes, to sports activities, gardening and housing help.

"This will help ease pressure on GPs to make more time available for patients with more complex health needs".

Social prescribing link workers, also known as social prescribers, are already on hand at some local surgeries and more will now be put in place across Maldon district.

A CCG spokesperson said: "They work in partnership with the voluntary sector to help people to access appropriate support in the community and make positive changes to their personal well-being.

"Social prescribing is targeted at a range of people, including those who are socially isolated and those with long-term physical and/or mental health conditions.

"Emerging evidence suggests that social prescribing can improve people's health and wellbeing and reduce workload for healthcare professionals and demand for secondary care services.

"Often people's social situation can lead to depression and other health problems, which takes them to the GP for medical help, but sorting out the personal problems and empowering people to take back control often results in a reduction of medicines and less need for a GP's help."

The service has already had an impact.

Annette Christmas, who benefited from a social prescription, said: "I found the social prescriber very assuring and surprisingly helpful. The appointment was wonderfully friendly and everything was explained."

And Phillip Aitchison said: "I was feeling very down about my situation. The GP referred me to a social prescriber. I didn't know about this service when they booked it for me at the surgery, but it's been brilliant. They empowered me to see what was out there to support me and get the help I needed."