Policy Briefs

Our policy briefings are informed through rigorous evidence synthesis and then discussed and debated through a series of policy dialogues with senior decision-makers, international experts, health professionals and end users. They aim to present research and recommendations to a non-specialist audience, making clear recommendations for current and future policy initiatives.

Social Prescribing

Publication Date:	12 February 2026
ISBN:	978-981-94-5455-6
Authors:	Nicholas Goodwin, Linus Chua, Laurie J Goldsmith, Kheng Hock Lee, En Yun Loy, Jason Yap, Jose M Valderas
Editors:	Nicholas Goodwin, Jose M Valderas

Social prescribing is a means to identify people‘s non-medical, health-related social needs and address them through non-clinical and support services in the community. It has grown in policy and practice globally and has shown promise in contributing to better health and well-being outcomes. However, evidence is still limited on system-level outcomes.

For social prescribing’s potential to be fully realised, social prescribing has to be supported and informed by high-quality research programmes. Continued dialogue and international collaboration is therefore needed to promote knowledge and best practice.

Suggested citation: Goodwin N., Chua L., Goldsmith L.J., Lee K.H., Loy E.Y., Yap J., Valderas J.M. (2025) Social Prescribing (Policy Brief #1). CRiHSP Policy Briefs. NUS Centre for Research in Health Systems Performance (CRiHSP). ISBN-978-981-94-5455-6.

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NUHS Regional Health Systems Office (RHSO) Nursing Home Support Team+ (NHST+)

Funder: National University Primary Healthcare
Duration: Oct 2023 – Apr 2025
Lead Investigator: Marie Ng
Contributors: Koh Wee Ling, Neo Sin Hui, Yee Wei Lim, Jose M Valderas, Laurie Goldsmith, Nithya Palanivelu, Aparna Sudheen

Funder:	National University Primary Healthcare
Duration:	Oct 2023 - Apr 2025
Lead Investigator:	Marie Ng
Primary Contributors:	Wee Ling Koh, Sin Hui Neo, Yee Wei Lim, Jose M Valderas
Secondary Contributors:	Laurie Goldsmith, Nithya Palanivelu, Aparna Sudheen

The primary objective of the evaluation is to determine the effectiveness and impact of the NHST+ care model, implemented by St.Luke’s Hospital in partnership with All Saints Home. The model aims to enhance the nursing home’s end-of-life capabilities and deliver quality geriatric and palliative care in-situ. Specifically, the evaluation will quantify key outcome indicators, such as reduction in emergency department visits and hospital admissions, and the proportion of deaths aligned with patients’ prior decisions. It will also include macro-level process monitoring to track implementation progress and fidelity, as well as sustainability and scalability assessments to evaluate the programme’s long-term viability.

The secondary objective of the evaluation is to identify and analyse key success factors and learning opportunities of the collaboration with St. Luke’s Hospital as a community partner and operationalization of the NHST+ programme in Nursing Homes.

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