The Improvement Foundation has led the way in improving the management of long-term conditions (LTCs) in primary care across thousands of practices in England, Scotland, Canada and Australia. Using the systematic collaborative approach to spread and sustain best practice, highly significant improvements on an unprecedented scale have been made in:

• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
• Diabetes
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The work of the Improvement Foundation's National Primary Care Collaborative in improving LTCs predated the introduction of the national general practice based Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), and much of the work we did in demonstrating how LTC management could be improved has subsequently been incorporated into the QOF.

The National Primary Care Collaborative was set up to focus on improving services for patients with three specific long-term conditions.

Phase 1 - CHD and Access
Phase 2 - CHD and Access
Phase 3 - Diabetes and COPD

All programmes are now completed. The Improvement Foundation is currently running the Unique Care programme, which aims to develop integrated care for people with complex needs, and the National Primary Care Mental Health Collaborative.

The national policy on and support for long-term conditions is set out on the Department of Health's website.

If you are interested in working with the Improvement Foundation please go to How we can help or click here to contact us.

Completed programmes

• Coronary heart disease