Multimorbidity study says services must improve

A study of 1.75 million people in Scotland has found rising numbers are living with more than two long-term disorders, or 'multimorbidity', and that health and care services are struggling to meet their needs.

Nearly a quarter had two or more chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and depression. People with multimorbidity were also identified as more likely to live in deprived areas and have a poorer quality of life.

The study, led by Bruce Guthrie, professor of primary care medicine at Dundee University, Professor Stewart Mercer, of Glasgow University, and Graham Watt, professor of general practice at Glasgow, concluded that often care for people with multimorbidity is fragmented because they see a number of different specialists, is poorly co-ordinated, and is inefficient. They called for a more personal approach to patients with complex problems.

Age Scotland spokesperson Doug Anthoney said:"This study is yet more evidence that the artificial divide between health and social care services must be abolished if we are to meet the needs of Scotland's ageing population. It's vital that the Scottish Government's health and social care integration legislation lives up to its billing."

"The upcoming Self Directed Support Bill also provides a real opportunity to tackle chronic health problems. By giving people access to their own social care budget they can decide what services best meet their overall health and care needs."

The Scottish Government's Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "We are working in partnership with NHS, primary-care providers and patients, as well as the research community, so that we have effective systems in place to address the needs of people with multiple health conditions and to reduce these health inequalities."