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Long-term conditions self assessment

What help should you expect?

This self assessment will help you to find out if you are receiving the right kind of care and support for your situation.

The advice in italics is intended to help you prepare a checklist of things to consider further. There are also links to advice on what further help you may be entitled to.

QUESTIONS

1. How well do you understand you health condition?

a) I’m not confident that I understand my condition

Ask your GP, nurse or careworker for more info on your condition

b) I know a bit about my condition but would like to know more

Ask your GP, nurse or careworker for more info on your condition

c)I think I understand my condition well

2. Do you know what having a long-term condition means?

a) No, I don’t know what this means

b) Yes, I have a good understanding of what it means

What a long-term condition means

A long-term condition is one that can be treated and managed but not cured, so you are likely to have it for many years, even the rest of your life.

3. How do you feel about your medication?

a) I wish I didn’t take as many medicines as I do

See your GP to review your medicines

b) The medicines I take have significant side effects

See your pharmacist about taking your medicines

c) I have no problems with the medicines I take

4. Have you agreed a care plan with your GP, nurse or care worker?

a) No

Talk to your GP, nurse or careworker about care plans

b) Yes, but I don’t feel my care plan is working for me

Review your care plan with your GP or nurse

c)Yes, I’m happy with my care plan and the care I receive

What a ‘care plan’ is

Everybody with a long-term condition can have a written care plan, agreed with their health or social care worker, to help manage their day-to-day health. Creating the care plan will involve a conversation with a health worker about the kind of support you might need and what’s available.

5. Do you know where to go for the information you need, such as finding out about how to manage your condition or what treatments might be right for you?

a) No, I’m not sure where to start

Create your own information prescription

b) Yes, I know where to go for the information I need

c) I do know where to go for some things, but not everything

6. Have you been offered training in managing and living with your condition?

a) No, I haven’t been offered training

Speak to your GP, nurse or careworker about training.

b) Yes, I have been for free NHS training

Consider being an expert patient or trainer

c) Yes, but I don’t think that training is for me

Find out what ‘training’ means

Skills and confidence training can help you live with and manage your condition more effectively. It’s also a good way to meet people with similar conditions and questions.

7. Have you been offered any equipment or aids to help you manage at home?

a) No, I don’t have any aids or equipment at home

Ask your GP or nurse about equipment that could help.

b) Yes, I already have some equipment to help me look after myself or my condition

Arrange a home assessment through your GP, nurse or careworker

c) Yes, I’ve had a home assessment

What kind of equipment?

Depending on your mobility and/or the condition you have, there are devices and equipment available on the NHS to help you at home. These range from nebulisers  for people who have trouble breathing, telehealth monitoring to take your blood pressure and send your readings to a clinician, to gadgets such as stair rails to prevent a fall.

8. Do you know about any local or national patient groups where you can share experiences and tips?

a) No, I’m not aware of any local or national groups for people like me

Ask your GP for details on patient groups

b) I’d like to meet other people like me but I don’t know where to start

Ask your GP for details on patient groups

c) Yes, I am in touch with a local patient support group

Find out about patient groups

Meeting other people through a local or national support group can be a really good source of support and information. There are patient support networks for most long-term conditions. Your GP or Patient Advice Liaison (PALS) is a good place to get more information on this kind of support.

9. Are you struggling to make lifestyle changes like losing weight or stopping smoking?

a) I don’t think changing my lifestyle would make much difference to my health

Ask your GP about lifestyle changes that could help

b) I want to change my lifestyle as I know it would help my condition but I’m finding it difficult

Ask your GP about lifestyle changes that could help

c) I’ve already made changes in my life such as stopping smoking and feel much better for it

What ‘lifestyle changes’ mean

This means making changes in your everyday life like giving up smoking, improving your diet or being more active.

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