Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:32 pm on 11 October 2016.
Thank you, First Minister. Social prescribing offers an opportunity to look beyond medication. Chronic loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and as damaging as obesity and physical inactivity. Research shows it affects people across their lifetime. Befriending groups can provide a vital lifeline in the battle against loneliness and are one example that can help reduce medication. In Aneurin Bevan health board, there’s an exciting new project called ‘Ffrind i Mi’ which is designed to act as a prescription for loneliness. Does the First Minister agree with me that communication between health and community services must be as good as possible to make this work, and what support can be given to encourage volunteers, who will be crucial to the success of social prescribing?