ABSTRACT

Long-term conditions are common, costly and becoming more prevalent. Health systems which developed to deal with acute episodes of ill-health are finding themselves poorly designed and poorly prepared for the current epidemics of chronic illness and long-term conditions. Many are engaged in radical transformation efforts to make themselves fit for purpose. This chapter outlines the historical and current drivers behind this transformation effort, describes some of the policies put in place to push/pull the system forward, and makes some suggestions as to what a true health system might look like. The focus of the chapter is the UK National Health Service, but reference is made to issues and developments from elsewhere.