Northern Ireland

Rise in lonely patients going to GPs sparks action call by doctors

GPs are reporting a rise in the number of elderly patients suffering from loneliness but also 'hidden loneliness' among young people
GPs are reporting a rise in the number of elderly patients suffering from loneliness but also 'hidden loneliness' among young people GPs are reporting a rise in the number of elderly patients suffering from loneliness but also 'hidden loneliness' among young people

A RISE in the number of 'lonely' patients turning to their doctors for help has prompted calls from GPs for longer appointment slots.

Dr Grainne Doran, who heads up the Royal College of General Practitioners (NI) and works in a busy Bangor practice, said she and her colleagues had witnessed a noticeable shift in people presenting with medical problems but who were also experiencing social isolation.

"This is chiefly elderly people but there is also hidden loneliness among young people. We have seen teenagers who have lots of 'friends' on social media but have no real mates and no-one to speak to properly," she told The Irish News.

"We have also seen new mothers who feel incredibly isolated. In some cases, loneliness may be a contributory problem to an illness while for others it may be hampering them manage a condition."

At a time of major GP shortages in the north - some rural practices have been forced to close - Dr Doran said rota gaps and work pressures need to tackled to allow doctors to spend more time with vulnerable patients.

"Sometimes it is difficult to let a patient leave the room when they are struggling... it is very disheartening for me personally," she said.

Increasing 10-minute appointment slots to 20 minutes would be a "luxury" but require more GPs, she added.

The Royal College will today launch a "community action plan" to address the issue.

The body said latest research shows that the majority of NHS GPs are seeing between one and five people a day who come in mainly because they are lonely.

Evidence shows that it can be as bad for patients' health as chronic long-term conditions and puts them at a 50 per cent increased risk of an early death compared to those with good social connections.

"As family doctors, we believe that treating patients means listening to them and understanding their concerns, but GPs need time to care. Ten-minute appointments are unfit for purpose," Dr Doran said.

"...but to introduce lengthier appointments we need more GPs. To do that we must make the job more attractive for medical graduates. It is a great job and one that requires a big skill set."

The plan includes a recommendation to create a dedicated job at each of the north's 343 GP surgeries for a professional who will 'navigate' patients to services in the community and voluntary sector and help match a scheme to their needs.

"This is not just about granny sitting in the front room suffering from lonelinesses, this is a much wider societal problem," Dr Doran said.