Survey finds more people blame Brexit than anything else for supply problems

Almost half of adults in the UK have struggled to get medicine they have been prescribed – and more people blame Brexit than anything else for the situation, research shows.

Forty-nine per cent of people said they had had trouble getting a prescription dispensed over the past two years, the period during which supply problems have increased sharply.

One in 12 people (8%) have gone without a medication altogether because it was impossible to obtain.

Thirty-one per cent found the drug they needed was out of stock at their pharmacy.

Twenty-three per cent of pharmacies did not have enough of the medication available.

NHS medical director says use of non-prescribed medicine for quick-fix weight loss is putting people at risk

People should not use anti-obesity drugs to lose unwanted weight and get “beach body ready” for the summer, the NHS’s top doctor has said.

Prof Steve Powis, the national medical director of NHS England, spoke out as evidence emerged that growing numbers of people who do not qualify medically to receive the drugs are obtaining them through online pharmacies.

Amanda Pritchard rebuts claims service is broken but tells health conference major investment needed

The NHS is “struggling” but “not destroyed”, despite the huge challenges it faces, the head of the health service in England says.

In a major speech on Wednesday, Amanda Pritchard urged which ever party won the general election to give the NHS more money, fix social care and tackle threats to public health, such as junk food.

NHS head to announce upfront tests to identify underlying conditions in hope of reducing hospital overcrowding

People aged 65 and over arriving at A&E in England who appear frail will soon receive a “health MOT at the front door”, the head of the NHS will pledge.

A&E units must start giving everyone that age a battery of tests to see if they are frail or have any other underlying condition and then arrange whatever care they may need.