ONE in three Brits is now sickly with multiple illnesses and GPs are struggling to cope, according to a study.
Analysis of 10million NHS health records found doctors’ appointments take a third longer than they did 20 years ago.
A key reason is that people need help for more than one condition at a time – known as “multimorbidity”.
Millions have common but high-risk problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
They are often linked to unhealthy lifestyles meaning they can develop at the same time.
The study by Birmingham University said GP practices are doing record numbers of appointments but seeing individual patients less often than they used to.
It found consultations take an average of nine minutes, 32 per cent longer than just under seven minutes in 2005.
Fears that primary care is in crisis are nothing new
Lyvia de Dumast
Writing in the British Journal of General Practice, study author Lyvia de Dumast said: “Health and social care system changes, rising levels of morbidity, and increased demand from patients have all combined to place additional pressures on UK general practice.
“Fears that primary care in the UK is in crisis or nearing breaking point are nothing new.”
The research found that, in 2019, four in 10 people – 44 per cent – had no serious long-term health conditions.
Meanwhile 16 per cent of patients were in the sickest category with three or more illnesses, up from 10 per cent in 2005.
Overall, 32 per cent of people in 2019 had two or more chronic issues, compared to 23 per cent in 2005.
People with more health issues took up more of doctors’ time, the study showed.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We are unable to spend the time we want to with our patients, particularly those with complex health needs.
“It’s a testament to advances in medicine that patients are living longer.
“But they are often living with multiple, long-term health conditions that need to be carefully monitored and treated, potentially for the rest of their lives.
“GPs are highly skilled at this but it is becoming more difficult to deliver in the face of intense workload and workforce pressures.”
It comes after a poll by Ipsos this week found just 51 per cent of patients feel they have enough time to discuss all their problems with their GP.
Most say the standard 10-minute appointment is not long enough.
And Blood Pressure UK today warns an estimated four million under-65s in the UK are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, raising their risk of heart disease or stroke.
MILLIONS of people have long-term health conditions and rates of illness increase rapidly with age.
Some of the most common chronic health conditions in the UK include:
High cholesterol – 32million people
High blood pressure – 17million people
Arthritis – 10million people
Depression – 9million people
Asthma – 5.4million people
Type 2 diabetes – 4million people
(Patient number estimates for UK adult population)
