London - More than a quarter of adults are living with at least two long-term health conditions, a major study has revealed.

High blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, depression and cancer are among the most common of the 36 illnesses said to be fuelling the nation’s ill-health.

About 14 million people in England have at least two of these conditions – with many having more, according to the US-led research involving Cambridge scientists. Experts said obesity, lack of exercise and longer life expectancies were responsible for the huge number of people living with multiple long-term illnesses.

The study found that these patients take the majority of GP consultations, hospital admissions and are responsible for eight out of every ten prescriptions. Researchers said NHS services – set up to treat single illnesses – were creaking under the pressure of so many people in chronic ill-health.

Dr Duncan Edwards, a GP who was involved in the study, said: ‘Much of the way the NHS is organised with single-disease clinics is really not fitting with our ageing and more multi-morbid population. We have to change how we do things.’(FA)