Case Study: Creative Prescribing Discovery Programme
Authors(s), Creator(s) and Contributors: Kathryn Lambert, HDUHB
Publication Date: 15/05/2024
Categories: Case Studies
Partner(s): PHW, HDUHB, HEIW, Span Arts, People Speak Up, Arts4Wellbeing, Haul, Arts Care, WAHWN
Funder(s): The Arts Council of Wales and the 2 xTs Cluster.
Introduction
In Summer 2022, HDUHB formed a coalition of cross-sector partners, including HDUHB Public Health Team, Public Health Wales (PHW), the Social Prescribing Community of Practice (COP), Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW), and 6 arts partners; Span Arts, People Speak Up, Arts4wellbeing, Haul, Arts Care Gofal Celf and Wales Arts Health and Wellbeing Network. All partners share a vision of incorporating creative prescribing into social prescribing practice across HDUHB. The programme had the overall aim of establishing a fertile environment for the growth of arts on prescription throughout HDUHB. Exploring how to embed evidenced based arts activity into social prescribing practice across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion to reduce health inequalities.
The Challenge
Social Prescribing services across Hywel Dda region have an anticipated, 6000 referrals per year. Key demographic data shows an ageing population with a range of chronic mental and physical comorbidities. Health inequalities have increased in recent years (Welsh Government, 2020) Social Prescribing services are designed to support patients with health and social challenges and who may be isolated and need non clinical support. Up until now, however, education on the benefits of arts, culture and community activities has been limited and this can be a barrier. (Aughterson, 2020) The benefits of social prescribing are widely reported as it can be used as an asset to address some of the major challenges facing the NHS presently (Welsh Government, 2023).
The Approach
A wide range of activities were designed and delivered between July 2022 – March 2024 to identify the opportunities and challenges for embedding creative prescribing in social prescribing practice across Hywel Dda. In total, 866 people (patients, communities and healthcare staff) took part, creating a possible network of 166+ people. 18 artists and 6 arts partners were involved. Activities included artists working ‘in residence’ within healthcare teams, one per county, arts and health programmes for health professionals, 3 x Creative Prescribing Cafes, one per county. There was also a research and innovation (R&I) group formed to discuss evaluation of creative prescribing and a film was produced by Wales Arts, Health, and Wellbeing Network (WAHWN) to promote the benefits of arts in healthcare for health professionals across Wales. The programme ran for £50,000 with nearly all funding being shared across all arts partners plus evaluation support. Almost all original objectives were delivered or adapted based on significant key learnings and a set of recommendations for next steps have been identified. “Great opportunity to network and gain a better understanding. It would be of benefit to grow on this and meet up again.” “We need to do this every week.”
The Impact
The overall aim of the evaluation was to independently evaluate the Arts and Health Creative Prescribing Discovery Programme and to discuss potential next steps for the work. The TriTech Institute and Innovation team prepared the report which was informed by activity reports, learning logs and collected data alongside HDUHB Arts and Health Charter and national and regional social prescribing frameworks and examples. The programme: • Generated high levels of learning • Uncovered great opportunities for development • Improved outcomes for patients - with 211 participants reporting improvements in their wellbeing • Increased awareness of arts in health in health professionals - with 100% of health professionals asked reporting increased awareness and greater knowledge of evidence base for arts in health • Connected arts, health and 3rd sector professionals • Made 4 recommendations for next steps “My fitness, stamina and energy levels have significantly improved. The sessions have helped to keep my joints flexible, aided my mobility and improved my general wellbeing.” “was able to join even though I have never comfortably taken part in physical activity” “…I never realised these things could be so beneficial for patients.” “I can feel my legs working now which is good”
Lessons Learned
The Creative Prescribing Discovery Programme generated significant learnings for all partners which are discussed in the full Evaluation Report. Key learning themes are: • Complexity of creative prescribing • Data collection and evidencing • Funding arts and health • Relating creative prescribing to wider health challenges • Learning and training resources for professionals • Identifying key beneficiaries for arts and health ” My experience affirmed how important connection is for wellbeing and how stories connect us all”
The Legacy
Four recommendations have emerged which will inform Hywel Dda’s next steps to integrating arts on prescription into social prescribing practice at Hywel Dda. Recommendations: 1. Foster cross-sector collaboration across the health board 2. Develop a health-board wide pilot arts referral programme 3. Explore the barriers to data capture and effective evidencing 4. Secure funding for larger research and evaluation activity “The Arts are seen as a luxury, not a standard for creative prescribing."
Website and Social Media Links
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/arts-and-health/ https://biphdd.gig.cymru/celfyddydau-ac-iechyd https://gpcpd.heiw.wales/vitals-series/arts-and-health-in-wales/ Evaluation Publications - TriTech Institute (nhs.wales)
Contact Details
Kathryn Lambert Kathryn.lambert@wales.nhs.uk Hywel Dda Arts in Health Coordinator
Tags: Arts and health, social prescribing, arts on prescription, arts referrals, health inequalities, Hywel dda, Mid and West Wales, dance on prescription
