Long-term conditions

Our project with Disability Rights UK to explore what good partnership working between disabled people and health and care systems looks like.

Around a million people in the UK suffer from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat associated with coronary heart disease, which causes dizziness, tiredness and shortness of breath. Without appropriate treatment, people with atrial fibrillation are up to five times more likely to suffer strokes.

Many patients are diagnosed with osteoarthritis in early old age, when they are particularly vulnerable to rapid deterioration in health and loss of independence. The ESCAPE-pain programme includes a combination of education, self-management and coping advice with physical exercises.

Developed by Phil O’Connell, a chartered IT professional with a background in telecoms and financial services IT systems, Florence is a mobile phone app which can contribute to a dramatic improvement in quality of life for patients with long-term conditions.

Jeremy Hunt's first speech as the newly reinstated Health Secretary in which he lays out his priorities for the new government: obesity and diabetes, general practice and the culture of the NHS.

Dr Caitlyn Dowson explains how Haywood rheumatology centre provides musculoskeletal care for patients, closer to home.

Dr Partha Kar, clinical director of diabetes at Portsmouth and South East Hampshire diabetes service, explains how the care of a group of diabetes patients who were previously managed at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has shifted to general practice.

Angela Camber, patient representative, British Heart Foundation Council, gives a personal account of her experiences of care and makes a plea for systems to be joined-up to empower patients and put them right at the centre.

Chris Ham talks to Edward Wagner, Director Emeritus, MacColl Center for Health Care Innovation, Group Health Research Institute, about co-ordinated care and the chronic care model.