Books on prescription

Read yourself to better health- Your GP can now prescribe a range of specially selected books to help with psychological problems. Ask your GP or health worker about our books on prescription service. Exchange your book prescription at your local library.

Read yourself to better health

Books on Prescription is aimed at helping people with mild to moderate psychological problems. The scheme involves a GP, practice counsellor, or community health worker prescribing a book that addresses the problem.

Worcestershire County Council Libraries and Learning Service is working in partnership with Worcestershire NHS, to provide quality self-help information to enable you to manage your health through reading. A prescription for a recommended book is issued by your doctor or other health professional, and can be exchanged for the book at your local Worcestershire library*, free of charge.

The book prescribed will be loaned to you for an initial three-week period. If you need the book beyond this time, you may find that the loan can be renewed, but you should check with the library. All of the recommended books are currently in print should you wish to buy your own copy. Please be aware that books returned beyond the due date are subject to overdue fines.

The book you have been prescribed has been recommended by people who have used it previously and found it helpful. Like other ‘self-help’ methods, it will need some effort on your part. You might wish to set aside some special regular time to read the book and to follow any advice or instructions it contains.

Please treat the book as you would any other library book and do not mark or write on it. If the book includes ‘exercises’ or questionnaires, please make your own copy of the material and use this copy for your work.

* Subject to your local library offering the service. The Books on Prescription service is currently available at Redditch, Droitwich and Warndon libraries.

Related links

• Question you may have
• What the scheme can do for you
• Contact us
• Download the Books on Prescription leaflet  (1.19 MB)