Jade holds a Bachelor of Public Health and has a passion for overall health and wellness. She is an Accredited Health and Wellness Coach
7 minute read
Combating the loneliness epidemic with social prescribing
What’s in this article
Jade Newnham spoke with Dr Kujit Singh about her Social Prescribing program that has seen a significant improvement in health outcomes for those living alone or facing social isolation. Dr Singh shares the importance of this approach, particularly for those living in rural areas.
People are experiencing loneliness all over the nation and new evidence shows it poses alarming risks for poorer health outcomes.
Loneliness and social isolation increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by 30%, dementia and depression by 50% and premature death by 30%. A study published in 2024 reported that 35% of rural Australians experience loneliness.
Dr Kuljit Singh is National Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Social Prescribing Specific Interest Group, Clinical Director of Projects at KnG Healthcare and a Gold Coast-based GP of over two decades. She’s working to combat social isolation at a primary care facility with a social prescribing program on the Gold Coast.
Dr Singh believes social prescribing can help rural health communities immensely. She encourages rural doctors to learn more and look into how they can incorporate programs into their rural health practice.
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is an evidenced-based preventative health tool which is used in primary health care. It connects patients to non-clinical community resources for the betterment of their physical, mental and social health. These activities may include physical exercise, nature-based activities, arts and craft, culture and heritage-based activities, life skills and health education group classes.
Dr Singh says it’s an avenue patients can use to connect with others in a positive environment, whilst simultaneously strengthening their community.
“Social isolation is a bigger risk factor than the well-known risk factors for chronic disease like inactivity, smoking, obesity, alcohol, etc, but we usually don’t address this one!” she said.
“As the RACGP National Chair of Social Prescribing Specific Interest Group, I’m very passionate and I’ve done quite a bit of study on the effect of social isolation and loneliness on people. There is enough reason to really integrate social prescribing as part of the ongoing management plan for our patients.”
Social prescribing reduces GP and emergency department visits by about 20% and actively decreases the risk of chronic diseases, thus lessening the strain on our healthcare system.
Working at KnG Healthcare’s Patient Suites Southport, a low-acuity primary health facility, Dr Singh noticed some patients, mainly senior residents, staying in their individual rooms for weeks and even a few months, increasing their risk of poorer health outcomes. Dr Singh saw both the need for social prescribing to improve health outcomes and the perfect opportunity to address social isolation and loneliness at this facility. Furthermore, Dr Singh started the TLC Social Prescribing Program for the morale and health of its staff, as the program benefits both the facilitator and the receiver.
Benefits for rural communities
“In rural Australia, aged-care facilities, nursing homes, low-acuity facilities and even hospitals could benefit from such programs. Even general practices that have a spare board/meeting room could be quite innovative in this space and create their own social prescribing program for their patients and staff,” Dr Singh said.
The TLC social prescribing program at the patient suites is activities delivered voluntarily by the staff or community members. Sessions include mindfulness, in-chair yoga, pilates and dancing and art and craft.
After the activities finish, many residents stay in the foyer and share a communal lunch. Instead of going back into their rooms and being isolated again, they often spend a few hours with fellow residents.
Dr Singh said the program had given patients a sense of community, purpose and belonging.
“It gives them a reason to just get up every day!”
“It’s really helped with their mental health, overall wellbeing and their physical mobility and agility as well. “The overall vibe/morale within the facility and among staff members has definitely improved since the implementation of this program. Anecdotal surveys, checking for things like pain, blood pressure, mental health and general wellbeing revealed very positive results, and this is now going to be formally studied by a university as well, which is very exciting!”
The social prescribing program isn’t just for patients’ physical health but for their social, emotional and psychological outcomes too.
“Without such a program, our residents would potentially be isolated in their rooms. Without purpose and meaning, they may have ended up depressed, less mobile and less socially connected. This would impact their physical health as well.”
Social prescribing has benefits for the individual and the community and can be implemented in rural Australia. Dr Singh encourages healthcare facilities and doctors to incorporate social prescribing in their practices in rural Australia.
Dr Singh advises that a program can be implemented in any facility with a physical space or can be done virtually. You need a few patients and a volunteer/teacher who is keen to run the activity. Virtually, you could connect patients for an online instructed activity (e.g. yoga) from their homes.
“Within the rural community, there would be a lot of different talents within their healthcare facility or community and generally they’re and more willing to help each other out,” Dr Singh said.
“The key is identifying community assets/resources and then enhancing and applying them in social prescribing. This creates stronger, more resilient and cohesive communities.”
Dr Singh has started a new social prescribing program at another interim care facility on the Gold Coast and is looking forward to seeing the benefits. She would like social prescribing to become part of other treating teams’ management plans and tool box to care for patients’ health more holistically.
To learn more
https://adma.org.au/social-prescribing-resources/
https://www.creatingopportunitiestogether.com.au
https://chf.org.au/social-prescribing
https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/RACGP/Advocacy/Social-prescribing report-and-recommendation.pdf
If you would like to learn more on the overarching practice of social prescribing, Lifestyle Medicine, visit Rural Health Webinar Series – Lifestyle Medicine in Rural Practice: https://www.racgp.org.au/racgp-digital-events-calendar/online-event-content/rural-health-webinar-series-lifestyle-medicine-in
Jade Newnham holds a Bachelor or Public Health and is an accredited health and wellness coach (with HCANZA) specialising in mental fitness. Jade is also a registered mindfulness, meditation and breath work teacher (with Meditation Association of Australia). Her work and educational background includes Public Health at state level and she is currently undergoing accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine.
