Doctors report big rise in patients with illness because of socioeconomic factors

Over half (55%) of consultants surveyed say that they have seen a rise in the past three months of patients with ill health from social and economic factors, according to a census of 3689 doctors carried out by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.In its annual census, the federation found that nearly one in four doctors (24%) said that most of their workload is now because of illnesses or conditions related to the wider determinants of health, such as living in mouldy or damp homes, poor air quality, and lack of access to healthy food. The census was sent to 22 213 consultants, giving a response rate of 17%.Altogether, 85% of consultants said that they were now concerned about the impact health inequalities are having on their patients.In response, the federation, which represents the Royal Colleges of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), and…
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