We need to tackle loneliness, says Sheffield Westfield Health boss Graham Moore

It has been heartbreaking to see families and friends have to consider ever-changing guidelines to connect with their loved ones, albeit remotely. However, one of the pleasing features of the recent pandemic has been a concern for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Many have rallied around to support the vulnerable and elderly and the response of local volunteers and agencies like Age UK Sheffield etc has been magnificent.

Credit, too, to Government both national and local, aided by those selfless volunteers, many coming from the ranks of the furloughed, who put in place many support initiatives for those unable to access food and prescriptions etc.

These welcome, albeit hopefully temporary, measures should act as a catalyst for us as a society addressing the long-term consequences of loneliness.

Quite apart from the benefits to the lonely, there is a cost benefit to the country including employers.

The London School of Economics estimated that it costs £6,000 per year for a decade for older people’s loneliness on their health costs and pressure on local services with a return on investment of £3 for every £1 spent on remedial measures.

Mutual benefits of home working

The cost to employers, too, in lost productivity of employees suffering from loneliness that results in numerous personal medical conditions, or them having to care for other family members suffering, is huge with estimates putting this over a billion pounds.

Loneliness is often precipitated by bereavement, retirement, losing contact with former colleagues, breakdown of relationships and not least job loss.

All aggravated, of course, within the context of the current pandemic.

So many of the excellent responses made during the current crisis have to become permanent features of our post Covid-19 world, otherwise mental illness will cause much suffering and a further drain on our already hard-pressed NHS.

Paradoxically, the huge rise in home working Introduced recently, if it becomes a more permanent feature of working life, may make some participants feel isolated. Employers will have to monitor signs of loneliness that give rise to concern and institute remedial action as appropriate.

Fortunately, this seems to be a welcome boost to work-life balance for most involved.

We have all experienced the kindness of family, friends , colleagues, neighbours and volunteers giving most valued support during the current crisis.

Maintaining this informal support network, together with continued support from statutory agencies and specialist charities like Mind, will bear down on the blight of loneliness.

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