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A new vision
Some people receive first-class care for their conditions.
But, if this is to be true for everyone, we believe
we need a new vision for our health services, based
on five key principles:
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People
as partners in their care
People with long-term conditions do not want
to be passive recipients of services but active
participants in their own are.Many are already
experts in their condition. Harnessing this
expertise can enable people to manage their
own care, based on a partnership between health
professionals and patients working together
to maximise the individual’s quality
of life.
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A
personalised service
People with long-term conditions want tailored
services delivered in an environment that
meets their needs: services which recognise
that they are a person, not just a series
of separate diagnoses; services which take
account of their emotional and psychological
well-being as well as physical needs; and
services which reflect their individual choices
and personal preferences at different stages
of their life and disease progression.
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Integrated
provision
People with long-term conditions often rely
on a complex web of separately managed services,
and need all of these to work in order to
live well. The best services are those that
are integrated across organisational boundaries,
bringing together specialist and primary care
and the resources available in the public,
voluntary and private sectors.
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Easy
access to high-quality information
People with long-term conditions need high-quality,
appropriate and accessible information to
gain more control over their lives and help
them become informed decision-makers about
their care. This needs to be provided proactively,
ensuring patients have up-to-date information
on their treatment, options for self-management
and the availability of voluntary organisations
and support groups.We need a holistic approach
that recognises people have different needs
at different times. Good information is equally
critical for NHS organisations to enable them
to identify individuals in the community who
need more effective chronic care.
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A
focus on quality of life
People with long-term conditions are living
with their conditions day-in, day-out. Their
care needs to be based on improving and maximising
their quality of life, including end-of-life
care, as well as reducing medical symptoms.
The aim must be to enhance people’s
ability to live independent lives.(3)
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3)
See the Ten Principles of Independent Living as
set out in the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit Analytical
Report, Improving the life chances of disabled people,
June 2004, page 160.
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