Chronic Illnesses: Health Services

The number of individuals living with long term conditions is expected to rise significantly over the next decade. Currently, the National Health Service operates a model focused on treating acute episodes, organised around fragmented services rather than holistic patient needs. To ensure the NHS is fit for the future, we must improve care for those with long-term conditions.

One of the working groups supporting the development of the 10-Year Health Plan has been asked to develop a vision for how the NHS can evolve to provide responsive, joined-up care to better support individuals with complex health needs, who may require frequent, ongoing engagement with the NHS. The group, chaired by Dr Claire Fuller and Caroline Abrahams CBE, will consider what improved care would look like for both individuals living with a single, or multiple long-term conditions, including, for example, mental health conditions, or disabilities, as well as individuals with multiple complex needs, including those that are frail or approaching the end of their life.

Starting with the patient perspective, we have asked this group to consider what people of all ages want and need from services across the NHS to manage their condition or conditions on an ongoing basis, and what the care offer should look and feel like in practice, so that the NHS can empower patients, enhance their self-management capabilities, and promote independence through a holistic, person-centred and responsive service.