Long-term illness hits NHS and the economy

HALF of adults in England have a long-term health condition, and one in four has more than one chronic complaint, it has been revealed.

- Lucy Johnston

And health and social care costs are setting taxpayers back £115.2billion a year, according to The Forgotten Majority? report.

It comes as Office for National Statistics figures reveal a record 2.6 million people are out of work because of their health.

This is up 41 per cent since 2019. 

The report also notes two-thirds of all GP appointments are taken up by people with long-term health conditions - 16.3 million a month.