The Lead for Priority 3 is Julie Gonda, Interim Executive Director for Communities and Wellbeing.

Why this is important

It is estimated that 45,000 adults in Bury have at least one long term condition. Long term conditions are those that cannot currently be cured but can be managed variously with medication, support services and therapies, and self care strategies, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They include diabetes, heart disease, dementia, mental health conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some neurological conditions.

People living in more deprived communities are at greater risk of developing a number of conditions but are less likely to be diagnosed early thus having poorer health outcomes. Long term conditions are more likely in older age and some, such as diabetes, are more prevalent in ethnic minority communities. The number of people living with more than one condition also increases with age. Those with long term conditions are two to three times more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population.[i]

The consequences of long term conditions can be life-changing and even devastating for some people and their families without the right support in place. Some people may struggle to seek or remain in work and they may become dependent on benefits. Roles they undertook within their family life and social activities may cease. Having the right support, retaining choice and control, confidence and self-esteem are all vital in self management of a condition, maintaining independence and coping with everyday life. Adopting self care approaches, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, utilising available technologies and meeting one's wellbeing needs are also important.

Carers are vital in providing physical, practical and emotional support. However, carers providing support for 50 hours a week or more are twice as likely to be in poor health as those not caring.

The Carers Trust defines a carer as ‘someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems’[ii]. Data from the 2011 census tells us that, in Bury, there are 19,954 people providing some form of unpaid care. This is 11% of the population and is an increase of 723 individuals in the last 10 years.

To support unpaid carers within our borough, the Carers Strategy Group developed the Adult Carers Strategy for Bury 2013-2018. The four main aims of this strategy are to strengthen:

Identification and recognition;
Realising and releasing potential (continuing with career and/or educational attainment;
A life outside of caring;
Supporting carers to stay healthy.

For more detailed information, go to www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4903"">http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4903

[1] NHS Inform, Long Term Health Conditions and Mental Health available at: http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/MentalHealth/Wellbeing/Long-Term-Health-Conditions [1] www.carers.org.

Bury Health and Wellbeing Board