Chronic Disease Management - what's new?
In July, the NHS Modernisation agency published a rapid review of the learning that has taken place in managing chronic disease in the UK. It is intended that Primary Care Organisations can immediately benefit from this transferable learning when determining their approach to chronic disease management (CDM) for their populations.
The development of the new pharmacy contract holds potential
Although it is acknowledged that a whole healthcare system approach is required (i.e. primary care, acute trusts and social service) CDM is a primary care led approach. Opportunities within the new pharmacy contract are stated as one of the drivers of change:
Most PCTs already have committees in place to discuss the CDM agenda and many have appointed CDM leads.
What can you do?
- Have a think about how your existing services support the main themes of CDM i.e. supported self-care, specialist disease management, case management
- Have a think about how you might want to develop your services to provide even greater support to patients, and their carers, with chronic conditions
- Find out more about the CDM pyramid of care (www.medicinesmanagement.org.uk)
- Contact your LPC, Community Pharmacy Facilitator and/or PEC pharmacist to find out what is happening locally
What to look for
Watch for the Department of Health guidance to PCTs due out in the Autumn
Watch for the term long-term conditions replacing the term chronic conditions
Where to look for more
www.medicinesmanagement.org.uk
www.natpact.nhs.uk
Chronic Disease Management - A compendium of information, DH, May 2004 (Telephone 08701 555 455 and quote 40137 and title of document)
Learning Distillation of Chronic Disease Management programmes in the UK, July 2004 (search Chief Executive'sBulletins on www.dh.gov.uk or order the item appearing in the bulletin from the DH Publications Orderline 08701 555 455)
The pyramid of care and community pharmacy's potential
