To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the roll-out of social prescribing.

My Department does not currently have a formal policy in relation to social prescribing. Rather, social prescribing is a way in which patients can be referred to a range of services which support a wide range of policy objectives.

There are a number of social prescribing services and models currently operating across Northern Ireland with differing approaches and sources of funding.

I am advised that the HSCB is working with partners to better understand the social prescribing work currently underway and to establish a Regional Social Prescribing Development Board with input from across government departments and other stakeholders.

The Social Prescribing Development Board will, with input from a broad range of stakeholders and experts work to:

Build collective understanding of the current status of social prescribing across NI

Examine the global evidence for social prescribing and the outcomes from social prescribing activity across NI

Agree a collective vision for the role of social prescribing in NI and work to embed that vision in relevant strategy and policy

That collective vision should address key issues for the future development of social prescribing relating to; the key principles of social prescribing, Sustainable funding models, Minimum outcomes to be measured

Build a shared leadership approach to the implementation of that collective vision and identify key next steps.

As part of the work to establish this group, an open expression of interest process has been conducted to find a Co-Chair from the Community & Voluntary sector.

It is envisaged that the Social Prescribing Board will be established by Autumn 2021.