People living with chronic conditions not getting enough NHS support, says Senedd committee

A Senedd Committee has found people with long-term health conditions - such as diabetes - are not getting enough support from NHS health and care services.

Phoebe Lewis, 26, from Cardiff was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 19, 7 years after first seeking help for painful periods
Author: George SymondsPublished 29th Jan 2025
Last updated 29th Jan 2025

The Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee has found people living with long-term health conditions - such as diabetes, endometriosis, chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions - are not getting enough support from NHS health and care services to effectively manage their conditions and enjoy better health for longer.

The Committee is calling on Welsh Government to refocus efforts on delivering person-centred care in the NHS, with integrated services for people living with long-term health concerns.

46% of adults in Wales experience chronic conditions, according to Public Health Wales, with 19% having two or more long-term conditions, and these numbers are expected to rise.

People living in deprived areas are more likely to develop chronic conditions at a younger age and are expected to have at least one condition by the time they are 50. These people spend fewer years in good health, requiring more support from NHS services.

Phoebe Lewis, 26, from Cardiff was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 19, 7 years after first seeking help for painful periods. She says:

“Having a long-term condition impacts every part of your life, but you only ever get help for your physical symptoms on your worst days.

"Proactive care and support for mental health is so important to live well and avoid problems in the future.

"Only getting help when you’re sick traps you in a cycle and it’s harder to recover each time: harder to go back to work, harder to live a normal life.

“After having surgery a couple of years ago, I am doing much better. I have done a lot of work to help myself by eating well and getting regular exercise, which is something I really struggled to do when my symptoms were worse.

"I’ve done this with little help from the NHS and had no idea if I was doing the right thing or if it was going to make a difference.”

“A lack of diabetes monitoring has led to the development of a third nerve palsy, which has led to more tests, treatment and medicines. This continues and I am very grateful for the care I am now receiving from the hospitals."

The Chair of the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, Russell George MS, says:

"Despite repeated calls for action, and 6 years since the publication of the A Healthier Wales plan, the Welsh Government is still failing to provide the support people need to live well for longer.

"This failure not only impacts individuals' quality of life but also places an unsustainable burden on our NHS.

"While much attention has been concentrated on NHS acute care, there has been far less focus on people who rely on regular access to healthcare to manage one or more chronic conditions.

The Committee’s report includes 21 recommendations for Welsh Government.

The report will now be shared with Welsh Government for its response.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

“We thank the Committee for their report. We will consider the recommendations in detail and respond in due course.”

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Hattie Pearson

Hits Radio (South Wales)