6. What support is the Government providing to health boards to enable them to implement social prescribing? OQ58008

We are developing an all-Wales framework to support local action to increase the use of social prescribing. My officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders on the proposed model, which will be published for consultation next month.

Thank you very much, Deputy Minister, and I'm pleased to hear you referring to the framework, which of course is part of the programme for government. I'm sure many of us could refer to projects that we're aware of in our regions and constituencies that show the value of social prescribing in terms of the health and well-being of those that we represent, and not just those who feel isolated, as is referred to in the programme for government. But clearly, it's not just health boards that are involved here. Organisations such as the Welsh National Opera, National Museum Wales, Theatr Clwyd and so on, have excellent projects and partnerships in this area. So, can I ask you, as you develop this framework, how central will the bodies outwith the health sector, such as cultural bodies, be in delivering the full potential of social prescribing in all parts of Wales?

Thank you very much, Heledd, for that supplementary. As you've highlighted, social prescribing is a really good way of linking people to community-based, non-clinical support, and that needs to be a holistic approach that recognises that people's health is determined by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, and as you've highlighted, that's not just about tackling loneliness. So, as part of the framework that we are developing, we are looking to set out what an accepted Welsh model of social prescribing would look like, but won't be dictating how it is delivered in different communities. And the task and finish group on social prescribing, which I chair, is working with primary care, health boards, the third sector, and, I'm pleased to say, cultural and sporting sectors, to develop that national framework, and that will include, then, an agreed model of social prescribing for Wales and identify several core themes where we in Welsh Government and our partners can take action to support its implementation. But just to be really clear, I don't think that that framework should dictate how that looks in different communities, because all communities are different, and it will be about drawing on the strengths and the needs of particular communities, but making sure that there is a consistently good offer throughout Wales.