Pilot Prescriptions for Learning in partnership

Restormel Primary Care Group and St Austell College

by Kathryn James, January 2002

Project Status: Completed

There is a growing awareness that poor health can be attributed to social, economic and environmental factors and that there is a link between poverty, low wages, unemployment, poor initial education, crime and a polluted environment. Partnerships between health, education, employment, housing and other services is seen as key to addressing these wider determinants of health.

By working in partnership Restormel Primary Care Group and St Austell College set up a pilot “Prescriptions for Learning” project. The project aimed to facilitate a referral route by which healthcare staff in one G.P. practice would be able to refer individuals for guidance and learning opportunities. The project wanted to see whether widening participation in learning resulted in positive health and well-being outcomes for project participants.

As part of the “Prescriptions for Learning” project St Austell College linked a Learning Adviser with three G.P. surgeries in Roche, Bugle and St Dennis. This aim was to try a different approach in each surgery. Individuals referred to the project from Bugle surgery were seen in the surgery. Individuals referred from the Roche surgery were seen in their homes. Individuals referred from St Dennis surgery were seen in the local community centre. The project ran from May to December 2001.

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