In England there are 15.4 million people living with a long term condition (such as diabetes; heart conditions, arthritis; multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, asthma etc).  The nature of these conditions means that those who have them and their families need help that is long term and supportive, based on an understanding of the person’s preferences and when and where interventions are needed and wanted. As a result of their condition the people affected are often disproportionately higher users of health services. Current trends suggest this population group is growing in number and with that comes extra demand on services and extra cost.

There is already ample evidence about what makes good clinical management of long term conditions. In NHS South Central the aim of the long term conditions programme is to make it easier for people with such conditions to stay well, in control and able to have a good experience managing their long term conditions even when life becomes complex.

Across health and social care organisations, work is underway to make sure services are available to people in the most appropriate and cost effective way.  As well as re-organising where care is delivered, we are supporting more people to participate in managing their own long term conditions, something that many people tell us they want. This may be as simple as providing more information, offering a personal care plan that includes the best approach if a crisis occurs, or it could be that we provide them with equipment to monitor their condition which means they don’t need to visit their GP so often.

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