The NHS Long Term Plan : what opportunities are there for health and social care social enterprises?

source: Make An Impact CIC
published: 30 January 2019

A key trend that will continue over this 10-year period is providing care in the right places – so rather than people seeking help through emergency hospital admissions the focus is on providing effective support at home and in care homes – to prevent hospital admissions. There are opportunities for social enterprises that can find ways to support people to stay well at home.

Our ageing population has significant impact on the usage of health services, and social care that can successfully reduce falls, health conditions that are a consequence of loneliness and isolation, and frailty are all opportunities for social enterprises.

Self-care and self-management of long-term health conditions will continue to expand – again providing opportunities for social enterprises that can create innovative ways to prevent respiratory illnesses, diabetes, mental health problems and heart failure.

As well as support that improves the quality of life for individuals, such as cancer survivors and dementia sufferers, so they can manage their conditions themselves as much as possible. The priorities over the next five years are:

• Diabetes prevention and management
  
• Asthma and respiratory conditions
  
• Maternity and parenting support
  
• Online therapies for common mental health problems