The major conditions strategy 'case for change' and strategic framework: what you need to know

TRFT Library & Knowledge Service

Sep 4

NHS Confederation - 1st September 2023

Key points

The interim report of the major conditions strategy sets out the 'case for change' and strategic framework of the major conditions strategy. The final report is expected to be published early next year.
The strategy aims to alleviate pressure on the NHS, increase healthy life expectancy and reduce labour market inactivity related to ill health by taking a multimorbidity lens. It is intended to be a strategy for the next five years.
To respond to population changes, the strategic framework represents an evolution from a single-disease approach to health services planning to a multimorbidity approach. This will better reflect how patients interact with the NHS.
Before this interim report, the NHS Confederation held engagements between healthcare leaders and the Department of Health and Social Care major conditions strategy team. Healthcare leaders identified levers the strategy could use to maximise its impact and achieve its aims. These were published in Prevention, Integration and Implementation: Healthcare Leaders' Views on the Major Conditions Strategy.
The nine recommendations of healthcare leaders fell under three categories: create a healthy society; make the most of existing infrastructure and policy; and implementation.
This briefing sets out the extent to which the interim report of the major conditions strategy aligns with the recommendations of healthcare leaders. As the interim report sets out the case for change and strategic framework of the major conditions strategy and does not make policy commitments, this analysis is limited to how its approach aligns or contrasts with what healthcare leaders recommended.
Overall, while the case for change and strategic framework does recognise the role of existing structures and policy such as integrated care systems and CORE20+5, it does not go far enough to 'create a healthy society' beyond the role of the NHS. To achieve its aims, the final strategy must make use of regulation and cross-government commitments to improve population health and reduce inequalities.

Further information - The major conditions strategy 'case for change' and strategic framework: what you need to know

Interim Report - Major conditions strategy: case for change and our strategic framework

Summary of strategic framework