#328 A Journey to Transforming Community Health with Christiana Melam

Christiana Melam, founder and CEO of the National Association of Link Workers, discusses social prescribing and the role of social prescribing link workers in healthcare. 

Tara's conversation with Christiana Melam, founder and CEO of the National Association of Social Prescribing Link Workers, promises to reveal the power of community engagement in improving public health. Honored with an MBE for her efforts, Christiana shares her incredible journey from banking to pioneering social prescribing, shedding light on the vital role of reaching people where they are to enhance health and well-being.

They uncover the necessity of integrating social prescribing link workers into primary care networks and the challenges that come with it. Christiana discusses how these roles are pivotal in addressing non-clinical needs and bridging the gap in healthcare delivery. 

Takeaways

• Understanding the role of social prescribing link workers is crucial for driving change in healthcare.
• Primary care networks should focus on identifying the problem they are solving and the outcomes they seek.
• Organisational maturity and a clear vision are essential for successful implementation of social prescribing.
• Innovation and collaboration are key to maximising resources and addressing the challenges in healthcare. 
• Training and career development opportunities are essential for the professionalisation of social prescribing link workers.
• The NLW is calling for support from primary care networks and employers to ensure the sustainability and success of social prescribing.

To purchase the 'The Social Prescribing Link Worker Model: Insights and Perspectives from Practice' book, click here.

Visit the National Association of Link Workers Membership Page here.

Work with me    

I’m Tara Humphrey and I’m the founder of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy. I provide project and network management to Primary Care Networks and consulting support to clinical leads. To date, I’ve worked with 11 Training Hubs and supported over 120 Primary Care Networks and 3 GP Federations.  

I understand and appreciate the complexity of healthcare and what it takes to deliver projects across multiple practices.   

I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sector and have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare. I’m also published in the London Journal of Primary Care and the author of over 250 blogs.   

For more weekly insights and advice sign up to my newsletter.    

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