Unlocking health through social prescribing
Tracks
Track 3
| Saturday, August 2, 2025 |
| 12:20 PM - 1:00 PM |
| C2.5 + C2.6 |
Details
As healthcare evolves, social prescribing is emerging as a powerful tool to improve patient outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health like loneliness and social isolation. But what exactly is social prescribing, and what does the evidence say about its impact?
Join this dynamic session where leading experts will unpack:
✅ What social prescribing is and the research behind it
✅ Why now is the time for pharmacy to step up (exploring policy shifts, legislative changes, and government support)
✅ How social prescribing fits into the future of pharmacy (aligning with the Pharmacy 2030 vision and why pharmacists should embrace this, even beyond medicine)
Pharmacists are perfectly positioned to lead in social prescribing—this session will show you why and how to get started.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the future of pharmacy!
Learning objectives
- Identify the core elements and evidence supporting social prescribing.
- Discuss the impact of social determinants like loneliness and social isolation on patient outcomes.
- Describe the policy shifts and legislative changes enabling pharmacy involvement in social prescribing.
Competency standards (2016): 1.1, 1.6, 3.6
Speakers
A/Prof J.R Baker
Unlocking health through social prescribing
Biography
Jen Kirschner
Pharmacist And Founder
Pals (Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness And Social-isolation)
Unlocking health through social prescribing
Biography
Jenny Kirschner is a clinical entrepreneur and pharmacist with over 20 years of experience across the healthcare and pharmacy sectors. Drawing on her personal experiences of loneliness, Jenny has pioneered work to position pharmacy as a key player in addressing loneliness.
She is the founder of PALS (Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation), the first international pharmacy initiative dedicated to raising awareness and educating the pharmacy industry on loneliness.
Jenny also created the World First Pharmacist Training program on Loneliness, launched in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Jenny’s work continues to drive education, awareness, and action to integrate loneliness as a vital aspect of pharmacy practice — in Australia and beyond.
A/Prof Steve Morris
CEO
PSA
Unlocking health through social prescribing
Biography
Steve Morris is CEO of PSA. Previous roles include those of CEO Arthritis South Australia and CEO NPS Medicinewise. Prior to that he was Executive Director SA Pharmacy and Chief Pharmacist, SA Health, having responsibility for the delivery of statewide pharmacy services to the public sector within South Australia. He has worked in numerous clinical and managerial roles within health spanning pharmacy practice, including community, hospital, primary care, industry and NGO sectors. Prior to moving to Australia he was the Deputy Chief Executive of the National Prescribing Centre in the UK. He has a keen interest in medicines safety, health literacy and workforce strategies which enhance the impact of pharmacists on patient outcomes.
Leanne Wells
Unlocking health through social prescribing
Biography
