#13 Nature as Medicine: How Green Social Prescribing is Transforming Primary Care with Dr Marion Steiner
Join Dr Elizabeth Thompson as she speaks with Bristol GP Dr Marion Steiner about the powerful intersection of nature connection and healthcare. In this inspiring conversation, Marion shares her journey from recognising the limitations of traditional medicine to championing integrative approaches that bring nature into patients’ lives.
Discover how the West of England is pioneering green social prescribing through innovative community projects, from cold water swimming initiatives at Henleaze Lake in Bristol to wildflower meadows transforming neighborhood streets. Marion explains the evidence base supporting nature-based interventions and shares practical ways GPs can weave nature connection into busy 15-minute consultations.
This episode explores the beautiful ‘mycelium’ of human and nature connection, from birdsong playing in consulting rooms to teaching 500 women from diverse communities to swim, demonstrating how accessible, free interventions can address mental health, reduce social isolation, and promote planetary health.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The concentric circles model: from planetary health to nature as therapy
- Green social prescribing and the evidence base for nature interventions
- Cold water swimming projects and their mental health benefits
- Practical strategies for introducing nature connection in general practice
- Community-led initiatives like Really Wild Lockleaze
- The future vision: gardens in every GP practice
About our guest:
Marion is a family doctor, working in North Bristol, since 1996.
Early on in her career, she realised that conventional medical teaching had left significant gaps in her knowledge of how to treat real patients with difficult lives, and help them improve their quality of life.
She therefore developed her therapeutic toolkit to include a broad range of approaches, and particularly to nurture patients to find their own wellbeing.
She worked as Self Care Lead for the local Clinical Commissioning Group for many years, and as an Integrative Care doctor at Penny Brohn Cancer Care, alongside her NHS practice. Marion is also one of our board members, bringing her knowledge and expertise to the strategic direction of NCIM!
Are you a Social Prescribing Link Worker?
Access our online self-paced course for Social Prescribers ‘The Whole Health Toolkit for Social Prescribing Link Workers’ with a special podcast listener 20% discount – just enter the code PODCAST-SOCIAL at checkout!
Read more about Nature Connection in our BLOG post Prescribing Nature: The Quiet Revolution Growing in our Healthcare System
Organisations & Resources Mentioned:
West of England Nature Partnership – A collaboration of organisations working for nature recovery across the West of England
Dr Heather Massey’s Cold Water Swimming Research – Upcoming controlled trial data on the psychological and physiological effects of cold water swimming
Open Minds Active – Community interest organisation working with women from diverse backgrounds, teaching swimming and facilitating cold water experiences
Natural England – Evidence base for nature-based health interventions
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust – Community organisation behind the Really Wild Lockleaze initiative
Frome Medical Practice – Developers of the Nature Connection Toolkit for patients
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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.