One in five patients visit their GP because they are LONELY rather than sick Family doctors say they see as many as 10 lonely patients a day One in 25 GPs say they see even more lonely patients than that Half of GPs say they aren't confident they have skills to help lonely patients Half of over-65s regard television as their main source of company, a report says today Half of over-65s regard television as their main source of company, a report says today. It estimates that one in ten patients of any age sees their GP because they are lonely rather than unwell. Many are the elderly who make appointments for minor complaints they have had for years just to speak to someone. The research by the Campaign to End Loneliness wants family doctors to "prescribe company" for lonely patients by arranging for volunteers to visit them. It surveyed 1,007 GPs. Three quarters said up to five patients each day attend their surgery because they are lonely. Kate Jopling, Director for the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: "Far too many people are feeling so lonely and so at a loss about what to do about it that they end up going to see their doctor. I know many doctors will feel frustrated at not being able to help their patients but there are things they can do. It's time we committed to a more coordinated public health response that targets resources towards better support for lonely people and prevention of loneliness for those at risk. Almost three million people over 65 admit to suffering from loneliness. Of those, a fifth say they are sometimes lonely and 13 per cent reveal they are always lonely. The most lonely place in Britain is London, followed by the South West and North West. The North East came out as the least lonely place to live. About 20 per cent of elderly people say they often go more than a week without having any contact with friends or family and for 11 per cent this increased to more than a month. Shockingly, half of all older people (over 5 million people) say the TV is their main company and nine per cent feel completely cut off from society. As well as the elderly, the groups at the highest risk of loneliness are the disabled and deafblind. One in five patients visit their GP because they are lonely rather than sick, a new study has revealed Miss Jopling said: "Loneliness and isolation is associated with poor mental, physical and emotional health including increased rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cognitive decline and dementia. Socially isolated and lonely adults are also more likely to undergo early admission into residential or nursing care. It is putting an unnecessary strain on local GP surgeries and social care services. The Campaign to End Loneliness has been working with local authorities to help them better track and support lonely older people. Critical to this effort is getting loneliness recognised as a public health issue by local health and wellbeing boards so that the best support can reach those who need it. Only half of the newly empowered local health and wellbeing boards have acknowledged loneliness in their strategies. This needs to increase if we are to help lonely older people and ultimately improve health outcomes in later life.