The partnership on long-term conditions is made up of 20 organisations. This is the first time that such a diverse group of organisations, including patients, managers and professionals, have come together to make the case for a better deal for the 17 million people in the UK living with long-term conditions. Our manifesto sets out our shared vision for people living with long-term conditions and outlines a series of practical proposals which we believe, taken together, could transform the lives of one third of the population.

Implementing the manifesto: good practice research

The 17 million reasons manifesto, published in early 2005, identified three actions that, taken together, would dramatically transform the lives of people living with long-term conditions. The partnership commissioned research to look at examples of good practice in implementing its three proposals for change, using the partnership's members and networks to source the evidence.

The research demonstrates that care plans are working around the country, with many starting out as prescribing and medication plans and now including lifestyle and other information on a variety of conditions.

The research also identifies over-arching principles which are present in all examples of good practice. These include redesigning services by looking at the patient's journey, the crucial role of GPs in the ‘team', and the importance of the involvement of patients and carers in the design of services.

In identifying these examples of good practice, we suggest if it can happen here… it can happen anywhere.

Download the research report here: