Long-term illness hits NHS and the economy
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 percent 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.
Experts say long NHS waiting lists and other problems accessing treatment are partly to blame for spiralling numbers. They say this level of illness among the population is costing lives and harming the NHS and the economy.
The research found the most prevalent long-term conditions are arthritis, and back and joint problems, affecting one in five people. High blood pressure, mental health, asthma and other chronic lung conditions account for 10 percent of cases.
The research, by the Future Health Research think tank, reveals 25 million adults in England now have a long-term condition – 52 per cent of all adults. It found 13.4 million have more than one.
Richard Sloggett, former special adviser at the Departmentof Health and Social Care, who led the analysis, said: “This report highlights the growing impact of long-term conditions on patients, the health system and the economy. Billions are spent in direct care costs, and lost economically, as patients struggle to get the care they need.”
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, agreed: “More and more people in England are living with long-term and often multiple conditions. But too many are struggling to access the care and support they need.”
The Government said: “We are investing up to £14.1billion in improving health services.
“Our Major Conditions Strategy will look at the prevention and management of conditions responsible for 60 per cent of ill health and death. Improvements will transform the lives of millions and fulfil the Government’s aim to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce the numbers out of work due to long-term ill health.”
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