Self management: what happens to people with long-term conditions in between NHS appointments?

摘要

The NHS is grasping the nettle of activity promoting self-management as part of the long-term conditions (LTC) QIPP programme, but clinicians are slow to engage and consultations with individual patients are often few and far between. Is this really going to be enough to keep patients motivated to self-manage their condition? Less discussed, and even less understood is the role of voluntary and community organisations in promoting self-management. Organisations based in the community are well placed to engage, support, signpost and deliver activities to increase self-care, self-management, and levels of activation for people with LTCs.