Long-term conditions are those that cannot, at present, be cured, but people living with these conditions can be supported to maintain a good quality of life.

Many people might be living with more than one long-term condition.

We work with our patients to help them better manage chronic conditions such as:

·         Asthma

·         Cancer

·         Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

·         Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

·         Diabetes

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

·         Stroke

·         High Blood Pressure (also called Hypertension)

It's important to “Know your Numbers”

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. 

Prevention is key:  If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.

Why do I need to monitor my blood pressure? 
High blood pressure (hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms. However, if left untreated, it places extra strain on your blood vessels, heart, and organs—including the brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Persistent high blood pressure significantly increases your risk of:

• Heart attacks and strokes (linked to 50% of all cases)
• Heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Vascular dementia

In England, more than 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure. Monitoring your numbers is the first step in staying healthy.

Living with a long-term health condition can be difficult, but there is support available to help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing.

We work with local organisations and services to provide you with the tools, knowledge, and care you need to maintain your independence and improve your quality of life.

How we can help
We can connect you with resources and strategies to help you:

• Manage daily routines: Find practical ways to make everyday tasks easier.
• Reduce stress and anxiety: Access support for the emotional impact of living with a health condition.
• Manage pain: Learn techniques to cope with chronic pain.
• Stay independent: Get advice on equipment, exercise, and lifestyle changes to help you stay active.

Community SWITCH
We work closely with Community SWITCH (Supporting Wellbeing Improving the Community’s Health). This service is designed to help you regain control over your life by looking at your health as a whole, not just your medical symptoms.

Find out how to access Community SWITCH support for long term conditions.

The NHS A - Z offers a lot of information about the following health conditions:

Below we offer links to some other useful third party websites where you can access further information and support for people with Long Term Conditions.

www.asthmaandlung.org.uk – information on lung conditions including asthma and COPD

www.bhf.org.uk – information on heart disease. hypertension and strokes

www.cancerresearchuk.org - information on Cancer types and treatments

www.diabetes.org.uk – advice and support on diabetes and self-management courses

www.macmillan.org.uk – cancer information

www.dorsetmind.uk – mental health support and advice

www.versusarthritis.org – arthritis information