The Prescription We're Not Writing: Social Prescribing and Australia's Missed Budget Opportunity

"The evidence is no longer the problem. The problem is political will."The central message in this solo episode is clear: Australia now has a government-commissioned national feasibility study showing that social prescribing is evidence-based, internationally validated, economically sensible, and aligned with the real world social drivers of health, yet the 2026-27 Australian Federal Budget appears to have ignored it entirely.• Social prescribing explained• Link workers as the bridge between general practice and community support• Feasibility study findings on loneliness, and social isolation• International evidence from the UK and Canada• The economic case and social return on investment figures• What a National Centre for Social Prescribing would do• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services as longstanding leaders in integrated care • What the 2026–27 federal budget funds and what it ignores on social prescribing • RACGP public support versus the absence of social prescribing in its budget response • Where social prescribing is already happening in Australia and why it remains siloed • Practical ways clinicians, community groups, policymakers and listeners can push change Link to the Social Prescribing in the Australian Context:A National Feasibility Study REPORT November 2025https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67379edcb04b274d1635e728/t/693f2d5781500017dba9a768/1765748055342/social-prescribing-in-the-australian-context.pdfLink to the RACGP Social Prescribing Day Statement: https://www.racgp.org.au/gp-news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/march-2026/social-prescribing-day-racgp-calls-for-community-cLink to the RACGP Overview of the Federal Budget 2026-27 (Health)13 May 2026https://www.racgp.org.au/getmedia/cf57e3b9-2d6c-4347-981c-b78e97cb29fb/RACGP-2026-27-Budget-Response-Detailed-Analysis-Response.pdf.aspxTo learn more about Social Prescribing in Australia vistit ASPIRE: Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education. https://www.creatingopportunitiestogether.com.au/Thank you for listening, If you enjoyed the episode, please share and subscribe. Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."Lifeline AustraliaPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Web: lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back ServicePhone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.auBeyond BluePhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Web: beyondblue.org.auKids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)Web: kidshelpline.com.auMensLine AustraliaPhone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)Web: mensline.org.auSANE Australia (complex mental health issues)Phone: 1800 18 7263Web: sane.orgQLife (LGBTIQ+ support)Phone: 1800 184 527 Web: qlife.org.auOpen Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)Web: openarms.gov.au1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Web: 1800respect.org.auHeadspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)Phone: 1800 650 890 Web: headspace.org.au13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)Web: 13yarn.org.auMusic by Hayden Smithhttps://www.haydensmith.com