I'm pleased to see the Prime Minister launching the first loneliness strategy in the country by instating ‘Social Prescribing’. Loneliness is a real problem in the UK with many people, in particular the elderly, stating that they are lonely or have felt lonely.
GPs in England will now be able to refer patients to several different social activities such as cookery classes, walking clubs and art groups. This new move is an attempt to prevent GPs handing out drugs for lonely patients and instead ‘socially prescribe’ to combat feelings of isolation.
Using social prescriptions will help to reduce demand on the NHS and also improve patients' quality of life. Loneliness can lead to several fatal illnesses such as heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer disease. England and North Cornwall will benefit from these plans in the future.
