Patients in the UK will take out an average 1,330 prescriptions during their lifetime, the Department of Health (DH) has revealed.

In addition, the average patient in the UK will make 31 visits to A&E, ride in an ambulance 12 times during their life. In total, patients will use the NHS an average 2,153 times, or once a fortnight, during their life, the DH says.

The figures come as part of a DH campaign urging patients to get involved with Local Involvement Networks (LINks) to have their say on local health services.