A leading GP claims some people in Wales are lacking in vital vitamins because they cannot afford to eat properly. Dr Rowena Christmas, Wales chair of the Royal College of GPs, said an increasing number of consultations are centered around the cost-of-living crisis and the physical and mental problems that come with it.
Dr Christmas said community doctors are seeing an increasing number of deficiencies in people's blood tests, including vitamin B12 and folate, which are linked to their poor diets. She added that there was also a growing number of patients with respiratory issues due to being unable to pay their heating bills.
She also echoed comments made earlier this week by fellow Welsh GP Professor Kamila Hawthorne who said doctors are seeing more people refusing sick notes because they feel they cannot afford to take time off work. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, Dr Christmas added that this crisis was leading to a spike in domestic abuse cases as parents argue over their financial hardships.
