Painkillers used most ‘up North’

PEOPLE in the North of England are more likely to need painkillers – with Blackpool hardest-hit by chronic aches, new figures suggest.

NHS data on GP prescriptions shows that 22 of the country’s 106 Clinical Commissioning Groups spent more than £10 per patient on the drugs last year – all in the North.

By contrast, ten areas spent less than £5 on medication such as paracetamol, codeine and morphine, all in London and the South of England.

Blackpool GP Dr Neil HartleySmith said deprivation in the area meant patients had longterm conditions and complex care needs.