'LIVING WITH LONG TERM CONDITIONS' - WORKING TOGETHER TO PRIORITISE LONG TERM CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Background: Arthritis is a long term condition which affects about 280,000 people in Northern Ireland, and which can affect every aspect of a person's life. Over the last five years Arthritis Care has taken the lead in Northern Ireland in pressing for greater recognition of the impact of long term conditions and for the development of a strategy for the management of long term conditions. Objectives: To create an effective long term conditions coalition in Northern Ireland and to secure a long term conditions strategy for Northern Ireland, including recognition of the importance of self management and patient information, and of the role of patient organisations. Methods: The first stage was to bring together groups working with different long term conditions and to develop a method of working as allies in achieving shared goals. This has been done successfully through the establishment and development of the Long Term Conditions Alliance Northern Ireland (LTCANI), which now covers a wide range of groups working with people with long term conditions, and through the development of a shared agenda based on securing a long term conditions strategy from government. The second stage has been to engage with government and to influence elected representatives and other decision takers, through letters, documents, personal meetings, delegations and conferences, and through the press. People with arthritis and other long term conditions have played a key part of our efforts. We have been able to demonstrate our experience and expertise to politicians and decision makers and have been able to convince them that our organisations have a real contribution to make towards shaping and developing effective support for people with long term conditions. Results: We have achieved significant recognition and are now seen as key partners by government. The Northern Ireland Department of Health sponsored a major conference, which we organised, and which featured a keynote speech by the Minister for Health. A further event looked at the parallel work which had already been done in Scotland in developing such a strategy. These led to a commitment by the minister to develop a policy document for long term conditions. The LTCANI has played a very full part in that process, with three members sitting on the working party which was established to draft the document, and with many others closely involved in sub-committees. The report of the working party, which will go to public consultation early in 2011, recognises the impact of long term conditions and the need for a response which accepts patients as partners and supports them in managing their health and well-being. The document, entitled `Living with Long Term Conditions', stresses the importance of information and self management, and recognises the role of patient groups. Conclusions: This process will secure much improved recognition for the needs of people with arthritis and other long term conditions. We have secured a better, more joined up way of working with government; real gains for the people we represent have been made by working together. Disclosure of Interest: None DeclaredCitation: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, volume 70, supplement 3, year 2011, page 780Session: Political campaigning: making positive change happen (Oral Presentations )