Tackling loneliness and social isolation this Christmas

This time of year can see the problems loneliness and isolation at their worst for many people, the consequences of which are often seen in GP consultations. Zaidee O’Dell, Compassionate Neighbours London Project Manager, explains how their project is tackling social isolation in several London boroughs.

Compassionate Neighbours is an award-winning programme that started here at St Joseph’s hospice in East London and is being replicated in collaboration with St Christopher’s across six other hospices in London and the suburbs (Princess Alice, North London, Greenwich and Bexley, St Clare, Garden House and Isabel). It focuses on improving the experience of people in the last phase of their life, often a lonely and isolating time. It is underpinned by public health principles, which aim to promote and protect health and well-being through the organised efforts of society. The principles emphasise the collective responsibility of society and community. 

We train and support compassionate neighbours to provide social and emotional support to people towards the end of life due to age or illness. We see it as a partnership between local people who want to make a difference, individuals seeking some support for themselves or others and the hospice. It is different from a traditional befriending programme in that we place few boundaries on the relationship between compassionate neighbours and the person they support. Instead, we encourage them to develop a meaningful relationship and engage with one another as much or as little as feels comfortable. We also encourage and support compassionate neighbours to share their knowledge and experiences of end of life, death, dying and loss within their community and provoke engagement with these issues. The programme has shown to have positive outcomes for all involved. 

People who need support are referred to the project through a variety of sources such as GP surgeries, social subscribing, hospital discharge teams, local services and agencies as well as via the hospice. The hospice team then matches them to someone in their community to provide support. By the end of December 2018, we will have nearly 750 compassionate neighbours across all 8 sites and nearly 400 of them will be matched with someone in their community helping to combat loneliness and social isolation. Others may become ambassadors, coaches, peer evaluators and the movers and shakers of the Compassionate Neighbour movement.

Compassionate Neighbours can be contacted via CN@stjh.org.uk.

Tips for GPs

We also have some top tips from Amy Perrin, founder of the Marmalde Trust, on how GPs can raise and manage aspects of loneliness during consultations.

What advice do you have for GPs who think a patient may be lonely and want to raise the issue tactfully?

We would encourage you to have the conversation about loneliness with your patients. It is important to reduce the stigma and encourage people to recognise loneliness in themselves and others and by openly discussing loneliness more, you will help people to do this. Don't be afraid to ask the question, "are you feeling lonely?" If you feel this is too direct, discuss social support and contact, "do you have people you can talk to about this?" "where are you getting your support from?"

What advice to you have for GP practices on finding community groups to point patients to and/or supporting patients to share information on groups and activities?

Most GP practices should have access to social prescribing services, it is worth seeing if you can refer directly into one of those.  If one does not exist, could you engage with a local organisation (ie Age UK, Marmalade Trust) to provide direct support, or build a community resource board in your practice.

What can people do in their community to ensure people aren’t lonely at Christmas time?

Christmas can be more difficult if you are experiencing loneliness, there is perception that 'everyone' is busy with friends and family and it can highlight loneliness further.  Be aware that this can be a more difficult time, encourage your patients to reach out to their friends, family or other networks for support. Community Christmas can also help anyone who is alone on Christmas Day.

Last updated : 19 Dec 2018

 

Covid-19 antiviral pilots (16 Dec 2021)

The government announced this month that thousands of the UK’s most vulnerable people will be among the first in the world to access a new antiviral treatment for Covid-19, Molnupiravir....
Read more »

Registering overseas vaccinations at vaccination sites (16 Dec 2021)

On 9 December the Government updated guidance advising patients who wish to add an overseas Covid-19 vaccination to their NHS record to do so by booking a specific type of...
Read more »

Guidance updates December 2021 (16 Dec 2021)

The most important pieces of guidance released for general practice since our last newsletter are: Regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 and Regulatory approval of Spikevax...
Read more »

PCSE updates on contact details and pooled lists (16 Dec 2021)

Correct contact details Practices can improve communications with PCSE by ensuring that they have the most up to date practice contact details, including: The main practice contact All user...
Read more »

MP engagement and government consultations (16 Dec 2021)

During late November and December 2021 representatives from Londonwide LMCs have continued to meet with MPs, councillors and the police to raise issues affecting practices. We have also submitted evidence...
Read more »

Tips of the month December 2021 (16 Dec 2021)

We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...
Read more »

Dr Michelle Drage’s Christmas and New Year message (16 Dec 2021)

Thank you for simply still being here after the year you and all London general practices have had. With relentless pressure coming from clinically necessary activity, and the equally relentless...
Read more »

Annual General Meeting for Londonwide LMCs and Londonwide Enterprise Ltd (16 Dec 2021)

The Annual General Meeting for Londonwide LMCs and Londonwide Enterprise Ltd will be held on Thursday 20 January 2022 between 2:00pm and 3.15pm.  The AGM is a chance to meet...
Read more »
Next Page »
« Previous Page