Managing long-term conditions in primary and community care

Health care policy in the UK continues to focus on provision of care in the community. For people with long-term conditions it has long been accepted that care should be predominantly in the primary and community care setting, with a focus on case management for those with complex needs. Community nurses are ideally placed to provide care to all people with long-term conditions, from health promotion, prevention and encouraging self-care to caring for people with more complex needs, comorbidities and end-of-life care. Community nurses are an essential element of the multidisciplinary team and should take the lead in delivering complex care at home to people with long-term conditions, while maintaining a focus on developing self-care, empowerment, community engagement and acting as an advocate for clients and their carers.