Books on Prescription
On October 3rd 2005, a 6-month pilot scheme evaluating a new 'books on prescription' service began in 3 GP practices in Telford & Wrekin. The local pilot project follows on from an original scheme set up in Cardiff in 2003 by Professor Neil Frude, who kindly allowed us to adapt some of his original material. The audit report was completed in November 2006.
The idea is to connect GP surgeries with local libraries by offering 'prescriptions' of recommended books rather than medication for some of the more common mental health difficulties. The GP and patient choose a book from a recommended list (originally drawn up by Clinical Psychologists in Cardiff), a 'prescription' is drawn up and the patient can take this to one of two local libraries (Madeley and Stirchley) where several copies of the books have been purchased specifically. The patient does not have to be an existing member of the library, and the GP and patient agree together the length of time the book can be borrowed rather than the normal loan period. Ideally, the patient then returns to the GP to discuss the outcome of using the book in a follow-up consultation. The library staff are all aware of the sensitivity for some people of the nature of the books being taken out and will deal confidentially with anyone arriving to take out a book under the scheme.
The GP practices involved in the pilot project were:
Woodside, Stirchley and Sutton Hill
The Books on Prescription Team:
Brenda Cockcroft, Health Promotion Specialist/manager of CHEC
Marilyn Higson, Telford & Wrekin Principal Librarian
Helen Jones, Clinical Psychologist
Janine Soffe Caswell, Clinical PsychologistFind out more about the scheme and the books:
Please contact Helen if you would like to know more about the scheme.