Long Term Conditions

Long Term Conditions are chronic illnesses that can limit the lifestyle of patients living with them.

Examples include:

Diabetes
Heart Disease
Asthma
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In order to help manage the burden that living with a long term condition can place upon patients, their families and health services NHS Cambridgeshire are working towards:

Preventing people in Cambridgeshire developing a long term condition
Ensuring early diagnosis of illness
Improving the quality of services and care for patients
Make services more convenient and closer to patients' homes
Commission services and education to enable patients to understand and manage their conditions
Help people in Cambridgeshire to live healthier and longer lives
Ensuring people living with a long term condition are offered a personal health plan

More about personal health plans…

The Personal Health Plan is a tool which has been developed specifically for people with Long Term Conditions to help them to adapt to life with a Long Term Condition(s) and to take control of their care. The Personal Health Plan is owned by the individual and it is up to each person what information he / she wishes to include in his / her Personal Health Plan. Some people may decide not to use a Personal Health Plan but may reconsider this at a later date. The Personal Health Plan can be completed in stages or all in one go. People can decide to complete some sections and leave others blank for the time being. The content of the Personal Health Plan is likely to change over time. When used properly, the Personal Health Plan will enable you to go to the right place for the information and services that you want.

The role of a Key Worker?

Some people will be happy to complete the Personal Health Plan on their own whilst others will require some assistance. If you need help filling in your Personal Health you may want to ask a family member, carer or friend to help you. You may also want some guidance or support from a Key Worker. A Key Worker is someone who can help navigate you through the healthcare system and be your primary contact. A number of people can fill the role of a Key Worker including health professionals such as Community Matrons, Case Mangers, Practice Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists or General Practitioners alternatively a Key Worker can be a carer, voluntary sector representative or other. It may be that different people act as Key Workers at different stages of the Personal Health Planning journey.

For more information and access to a personal health plan please use the following: