Welzijn op Recept (wellbeing on prescription)

Description

The Dutch form of social prescribing: the general practitioner refers patients with psychosocial complaints (loneliness, stress, grief) to a community wellbeing coach instead of prescribing medication or medical care. Pilot started in December 2011 at the De Roerdomp health center (Nieuwegein) with the welfare organization MOvactor and the Trimbos-instituut. Today it operates in more than 175 municipalities, coordinated by the Landelijk Kennisnetwerk Welzijn op Recept, with a national monitor and anchoring in the Integraal Zorgakkoord. In 2025-2026 it is expanding with structural funding (7.6 million euros/year) in Groningen and Noord-Drenthe via the Nij Begun social agenda.

Linked evidence