the reasons why chronic illness is such an issue for the health service?

Answer 1

It is long standing and generally does not go away.
It requires treatment for a long time. The cost of treatment of a chronic illness is much higher than treating an acute illness.
Chronic illesses tend to progress (Huntington's, MS, ALS etc.)

Answer 2

Money, Money, Money. Or the amount it costs to treat the effects of chronic illness.
The cost of care either in Hospitals or the Community. The cost of medication. The cost of investigating and diagnosing conditions. The cost of research into conditions and finding a means of prevention or treatment.
Most European countries have ageing populations and the older you are the more likely you will experience chronic illness. Peoples higher expectations of treatment and care means that the health service are falling into debt because there is one pot of money and so many things to fund other than chronic illness.
Therefor there are fewer people to care for those with chronic illness and less money to do it with.

Answer 3

Chronic illnesses must be monitored regularly. Most people with chronic illness are on medications for life. People with chronic illness never get cured. Many people with chronic illness cannot work to support themselves. Many health insurance companies refuse to cover people with pre-existing chronic conditions. I know, I have lupus and am uninsurable. That costs money over the entirety of their life.

Additionally, it is frustrating for health care practitioners when they can't "fix" you. They go into this field to heal people and restore them to full functioning. Those of us with chronic illness will not have that experience. The frustating thing is that it is extremely difficult to get the financial resources to pay for health care and even survival when you can't work, can't get insurance even if you could pay for it, and can't get much help coupled with the fact that things like stem cells, which hold trememndous hope for autoimmune people like me, are not being fully funded and are even being limited. So, it is a huge challenge to try and control our conditions and the solution is, for the most part, blocked by partisan politics.

Answer 4

For the health industry chronic illness is what keeps them in business. The doctors don't want us to know about all the alternative therapies and herbal remedies that are available to us. It's all a big scam run by drug companies.

Answer 5

Because people with chronic illnesses need continual medical care and medication.

Answer 6

Because it's Chronic!!