Living Lab 2

Long-Term Conditions Co-management

People are living longer than before, and families are having fewer children due to better education, birth control, and financial constraints. As a result, there are more older people with complex health needs, but fewer younger people to take care of them. This is creating challenges for healthcare services such as hospitals, GP surgeries, and community care, which are struggling to keep up with demand with a smaller workforce.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for alternative ways to deliver healthcare services, such as video consultations and online support. To meet the challenges posed by changing demographics, digital health and social care are essential.

Long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, neurological conditions, and cancer are becoming more prevalent among both older and younger people due to unhealthy lifestyles. The needs of younger people with long-term conditions are different from those of older people, and they require more mental health support.

Technology can play a significant role in managing health and well-being by providing self-help, guidance, and information to individuals and digitally monitoring their condition's symptoms to identify changes early. This allows individuals to stay well and independent for longer, while accessing the right help and support quickly when required.

The RCE team is engaging with front-line staff and citizens in Moray to identify issues experienced by them and explore innovative ways to use digital technology to improve health and well-being, reduce administrative tasks, and increase face-to-face time for staff.

You can get involved in activities by joining our Citizen Panel.