OVERVIEW

'People with long-term conditions have some of the most complex health needs in the country and we need to personalise services to suit their needs, not fit them around how the NHS is organised. We want clinicians to take the lead locally in developing health services so that they support patients, to take decisions about their care and help them take charge of their health and the care they receive. With this approach, they will find new ways to tackle this problem for both the NHS and patients.' Health Secretary Andrew Lansley

People suffering from long-term conditions (LTCs) represent 30% of the population, accounting for 60% of all GP consultations and 30% of hospital beds. In addition, most people with LTCs have more than one condition; for example, it is estimated that just 14% of diabetes patients are suffering from only that disease. Around 10% of the population are using a large proportion of the NHS' resources and their numbers are growing. The impact LTCs have on individuals, on their families and on the health service is significant and there is also a wider economic cost. The UK economy is also estimated to lose £160bn over the next 10 years through premature deaths due to conditions such as heart and vascular disease or stroke. The system of care, treatment and support needs to change to meet the increasing demands and deliver improved outcomes. So what can be done to tackle LTCs in a more effective way? How can health services continue to deliver to more people with less resources?

There are number of policies looking to address LTCs. Following the Future Forum report, which recommended action to promote personal health budgets, the government launched a pilot programme involving 1,300 people and announced that personal health budgets will be rolled out nationwide from October this year. The programme aims to empower patients and give them greater choice and personalised care plans to help them to manage their conditions better to achieve the outcomes they want for themselves. A more tailored approach will improve quality, use resources more effectively and help to integrate high-quality care across health and social care. At the same time, the NHS is expected to spend £750m over the next five years implementing new telehealth technologies and monitoring devices in millions of homes. The rollout of the scheme is on an unprecedented 'industrial scale'; services will be developed to enable people to remain living independently in their own homes and support their own self-care. An initial study by the Department of Health found that new technologies can help reduce demand through prevention – there was found to be a reduction in mortality rates, admissions, A&E visits and the number of days spent in hospital. How will the quality of individual care be managed under these new services and what impact will changes have on the NHS?

Following the Health and Social Care Bill, councils are currently setting up health and wellbeing boards with the aim of strengthening the way services work together and identify the most effective ways to improve outcomes. It is a chance to integrate care and deliver shared solutions to meet community and individual needs. Will it be possible for health professionals and local authorities to identify patients and citizens most at risk of hospital admission and intervene to manage care in the community?

At Tackling Long-Term Conditions: Health and Wellbeing our programme of prestigious speakers will be discussing how to shift towards a more flexible, integrated and people-centred health system. Delegates will hear from leading case studies, discover the latest developments of new services and gain a better understanding of how to improve patient outcomes.