More people in Scotland are now living with one or more long term health conditions. They require more support from health and social care and that requirement will increase as they age. Fewer people are able to work and remain in work as a result of health problems.
Our aim is to ensure that people living with a long term health condition receive the care and support they need to live well and manage their condition.
Actions
What we are doing about the following illnesses and long-term conditions:
- cancer
- chronic pain
- dementia
- diabetes
- eating disorders
- endometriosis
- heart disease
- infected blood
- long term effects of COVID-19
- neurological conditions
- palliative and end of life care
- rare diseases
- rehabilitation
- sexual health and blood-borne viruses
- stroke
- longer term effects of COVID-19 infection
We have also:
- provided information about our work in relation to blood donation
- published our VTEC/E.coli action plan 2013-2017
- published our Tuberculosis (TB) action plan in 2011 which led to the publication of the TB Framework for Scotland (May 2018)
- published our national dementia strategy 2017-2020
- introduced an annual flu vaccination programme
- increased awareness of the symptoms of sepsis by contributing to a national awareness campaign
- published our consultation on our draft action plan for respiratory care
Find out more about our work on health improvement.
Find out how we are working to improve social care support.
Background
We are exploring a new Long Term Conditions Framework to better recognise that many people living with long term conditions share similar needs and may benefit from the same types of support and care, regardless of their condition.
We consulted on a new integrated Long Term Conditions Framework in summer 2025. We published the consultation analysis in October 2025. We will publish a new framework before the end of 2025 and action plans thereafter.
You can find information about identifying, treating and managing different types of illnesses, infections, injuries and disorders on the NHS inform website.
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot