ILLNESS could increase as a result of the UK Government's welfare reforms, NHS Highland has warned.
It predicts an increase in adults and children requiring inpatient care and a significant rise in the number of people visiting GPs or contacting NHS 24.
NHS Highland's director of public mealth, Margaret Somerville, also warned the UK Government's Welfare Reform Act represents a "significant but unquantifiable area of financial risk" to the health board.
In a written submission to Holyrood's Finance Committee today, Ms Somerville identifies possible problems arising from increased use of inadequate housing and bad diet, warning people may eat more cheap, high-fat, high-sugar foods while cutting back on fresh fruit and vegetables.
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