A pilot partnership between Black
Country Healthcare’s WorkWell service and social prescribers at Blakenall Family Practice and Harden Health Centre North Walsall GP Practice who are part of Modality Partnership is already showing strong results, with referrals running smoothly and patients reporting clear benefits from the support they receive.
Social prescribers described the referral pathway as straightforward and effective, with the added benefit of being able to speak directly to the people they are referring. This personal approach ensures referrals are high quality and well-matched, supporting better outcomes for patients.
Patients using WorkWell through the pilot have responded enthusiastically. Many reported that the team are quick to respond, transparent about the support on offer, and respectful of individual needs and goals.
One participant, who was looking to secure work urgently, felt fortnightly appointments were slower than they hoped. However, the WorkWell team were able to signpost them to alternative immediate support while continuing to provide tailored help to prepare for longer-term, sustainable employment.
Charlene Reece, Social Prescriber at Blakenall Family Practice and Harden Health Centre North Walsall G.P Practice said:
“The feedback from patients has been really positive. People appreciate that they aren’t pressured into meeting set outcomes and instead feel supported in a way that works for them. The process of referring into WorkWell is also simple for us, and the ability to speak to patients directly before they join adds real value.”
WorkWell is also becoming more widely recognised across Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Walsall. Referrals are already being received from practices such as Pinfold Health Centre, with social prescribers sharing updates at monthly meetings.
There are also plans to present WorkWell at a future PCN meeting, showcasing referral data and outcomes. With PCNs keen to learn from each other and adopt best practice, this is expected to encourage even greater uptake.
Lindsay Hill, Senior Work and Health Coach for Walsall at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“It’s fantastic to see such strong engagement with the pilot. We’ve had lots of positive feedback from both patients and social prescribers, and we’re excited about how the service can grow across primary care networks to help even more people. The project will continue to adapt in response to feedback, ensuring WorkWell remains a responsive and sustainable service for patients and partners alike.”
Looking ahead, there are clear opportunities to expand the pilot’s success across other GP practices in the Black Country. Next steps include introducing monthly referral data reporting, simplifying the referral form to make it more patient-friendly, and exploring financial incentives to support wider adoption backed by the Department for Work and Pensions’ new WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund, which will provide £100,000 to each of the 15 pilot sites.
WorkWell is a free service that offers practical, personalised employment and health-related support to individuals facing challenges in the workplace. In less than a year, WorkWell has already helped over 1000 people across the Black Country find pathways back into meaningful employment, while improving their mental and physical wellbeing.
To find out more about WorkWell’s services, visit: https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/workwell