The NHS should provide better support for people living with multiple conditions Health Foundation response to new ONS data release

Responding to data looking at barriers to working in older age, Sarah Deeny, Assistant Director of Data Analytics at the Health Foundation, said: 

'Good work is vital for people’s health and wellbeing. By providing good work for all, we can reduce socio-economic inequalities and create a healthier society.

‘Our recent analysis found that nearly one in four people living in England have two or more health conditions and almost a third of people with four or more conditions were of working age, under 65. Our research also found that those living in the most deprived areas were at risk of experiencing poor health ten years earlier in their life, in the most deprived fifth people had two or more conditions at the age of 61 compared to 71 in the least deprived.

‘The NHS should provide better support for people living with multiple conditions to help them stay well and in work. This could include initiatives to support patients to better manage their conditions such as health coaching or social prescribing. It is also critical that primary care is properly resourced, particularly in deprived areas, as we know that people with multiple conditions attend general practice more than any other NHS service and rely on GPs to coordinate their care.’
 

Media contact

Susannah McIntyre, External Affairs Manager

Susannah.mcintyre@health.org.uk

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