Long Term Conditions

In Britain, six out of ten adults report having one or more Long Term Conditions (chronic conditions) that cannot currently be cured such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eighty per cent of primary care consultations and two thirds of emergency hospital admissions in the UK are related to long term conditions.

The Department of Health (England) strategy for Long Term Conditions (LTCs) aims to put people at the centre of decision making about their own care, giving people informed choice and control over their lives with the emphasis on:

• Prevention and early intervention
• Supported self care
• Personalisation
• Personalised care planning
• Care close to home.

The strategy can only become a reality if there is real partnership working between people with LTCs, their carers, the wider community and the health and social care workforce. This new way of working will require new skills and competences, and in some cases the design of new roles along with an approach to workforce planning and development that supports real workforce transformation and innovative solutions.

What this means for the workforce
The provision of essential services for people with LTCs depends largely on the availability of an appropriately organised and skilled workforce. People with LTCs have voiced what they expect from the workforce in a good LTC service. These include the right skills, knowledge and competences, the right attitudes and behaviours and the right processes and structures.

Resources
Skill for Health has a wide range of products and services that support the development of the workforce in addressing the key workforce challenges required in relation to LTC management.

• SfH Workforce Development Resource. A Guide for LTCs brings together a range of products and services available to support the development of your LTC workforce.
• National Occupational Standards (NOS). There are a number of competence suites available to describe what individuals working with patients with LTC’s need to do, what they need to know and which skills they need in order to carry out an activity. Covering areas such as LTC case management, LTC neurological care, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, renal and end of life care.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Skills for Health has developed a range of proven products and services to help you develop a more skilled and flexible workforce.

If you can’t find the solutions you are looking for here, try browsing the website, using the search function, or getting in touch with your country or regional director.

Some policies, strategies and guidance were developed under the previous government and as such may be subject to review by the Coalition Government.