image: examples of information prescriptions from pilot sites

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What is this resource?

Information prescriptions (IPs) will guide people to relevant and reliable sources of information to allow them to feel more in control and better able to manage their condition and maintain their independence. This includes helpful and relevant information, for example about conditions and treatments, care services, benefits, and support groups. IPs will also contain links or signposts to sources of information about local health, social care, and other services - usually phone numbers, websites etc.

Information prescriptions can take many forms, with many different types of information, and be issued by a wide range of different professionals and clinicians.

This resource contains ideas for health and social care organisations on how to start developing processes for delivering IPs. It also has many rich examples of information templates, prescribing procedures, patient leaflets, and so on, developed by the pilot sites.

Who is this resource for?

This resource is predominantly aimed at health and social care professionals who are involved in supporting people with long-term conditions, including information services and community support. This could include the following:

• social worker, social care worker or community care practitioner
• district nurse, GP, consultant, specialist nurse, member of staff at a hospital, community clinic or pharmacy
• commissioner or director of health and social care services
• information services and patient advocates.

The resource will also be relevant to voluntary and community support organisations who are involved in producing and disseminating information and providing support to people with long-term conditions and carers.

Additionally, the information in the resource may be of interest to people using health and social care services.

What guidance is covered in the resource?

The resource is split into seven sections covering the different stages of delivering IPs and includes guidance on the following:

• making a case for IPs in your own organisation, drawing on the experience of the 20 pilots
• planning the first essential steps: a) engaging users and carers in determining what information needs there are; b) gaining the active and enthusiastic participation of professionals and partner organisations; and c) sourcing and/or collecting and quality-assuring the information that will be included in your IPs.
• undertaking the necessary project planning, encouraging small beginnings and growing on success
• promoting IPs internally and externally, to raise awareness and encourage staff and users alike to participate in the process
• getting an effective and comprehensive IP system working in your local area, and then monitoring, evaluating and improving it through the evidence and experience you gain along the way.

The resource also includes examples of models and templates for IPs, good practice examples, hot tips and checklists.

The evaluation consortium has completed their final report on the Information Prescriptions Pilot Programme. The final report, and its appendices and summary, can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.

 

next page: how this resource is structured and how to use it