Long Term Conditions
Information for patients about Long Term Conditions
Long Term Conditions (LTCs) are health conditions that can impact on a person’s life, and may require ongoing care and support. We organise appointments and provide support for people who have an LTC by putting in place a way of working called ‘Personalised Care and Support Planning’. We work with our patients to help them better manage chronic conditions such as asthma, cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis or stroke, including transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
It's also important to stay on top of your blood pressure by regular monitoring. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Scroll down to find out how you can monitor your blood pressure quickly and easily from home.
We've changed the way to request Medical Reviews online
You can contact the Practice using SystmConnect to access many online consultation services annual health checks for long term condition reviews such as Asthma, Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or High Bloos Pressure.
These reviews aim to ensure the condition is well-managed, monitor health, and discuss any concerns or needed changes to medication or treatment. The Practice will offer an annual review in the month of your birthday. Patients will be sent a link to complete an online review when it is due.
If you believe your annual review has been missed, or you believe you need an earlier review, please email us at cranborne.reception@dorsetgp.nhs.uk or telephone us on 01725 517272 or 01202 822825.
BP@Home - monitoring your blood pressure with the Viso app
The Cranborne Practice offers the opportunity for patients to monitor their blood pressure at home and share their blood pressure readings directly back to their GP from home using the Viso app.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
In line with NHS England recommendations, NHS Dorset is working in partnership with Omron Healthcare to implement blood pressure (BP) monitoring at home using the Viso app.
BP@Home - monitoring your blood pressure with the Viso app
Monitoring blood pressure remotely through Viso has multiple benefits. From the patient perspective, it will not be necessary to book an appointment and attend the surgery for a blood pressure check.
It enables healthcare professionals to keep track of a person’s health, provide them with the information needed to look after their health and help them access the right treatment when required.
In addition, taking measurements in the comfort of one’s own home can better reflect blood pressure, as being tested in a medical environment can make some people feel anxious, affecting results.
Know Your Numbers, Protect Your Health
Why do I need to monitor my blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.
High blood pressure affects more than 1 in 3 adults in England; around 50% of all heart attack and strokes are associated with high BP and it is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease, heart failure and dementia.
Download and view a patient guide to monitoring and managing your Blood Pressure at Home>>
What happens if I don't stay on top of my high blood pressure?
Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of some serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:
- heart disease
- heart attacks
- strokes
- heart failure
- peripheral arterial disease
- aortic aneurysms
- kidney disease
- vascular dementia
Prevention is key: If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.
How do I sign up to use the service?
One of our healthcare professionals may contact you with an invitation to register with the Viso BP@Home programme.
Invites may be sent via SMS text message, or email along with a link to register online to use the service.
Do I have to wait to be invited in order to use BP@Home?
No. Any patient registered with us can self register via the Viso website.
Follow this link to register>>
What if I don't have a Home Monitor?
If you don’t already have a suitable BP monitor, we can provide you with a discount code to buy a OmronX3 Comfort monitor through Amazon.co.uk. Email cranevalleypcn@dorsetgp.nhs.uk to request a code.
Alternatively, we have a limited number of BP monitors available for eligible patients to borrow free of charge. And should anyone need guidance and support to use the app to provide their BP readings, our Digital Care Coordinator is available to help.
Once you submit BP readings, our healthcare professionals can view these and advise any changes required to your treatment.
Advice for taking your own blood pressure
When taking your blood pressure readings, it is important to be relaxed, so avoid taking your blood pressure when stressed, in pain or in a hurry.
For advice about taking your blood pressure readings at home, visit our Advice Page here>>
For more information about Viso, please use the links below to the Omron Healthcare website:
The NHS England A to Z
The NHS A - Z offers a lot of information about the following health conditions:
Long Term Condition Support Organisations
Below we offer links to some other useful third party websites where you can access further information and support for people with Long Term Conditions.
www.asthmaandlung.org.uk – information on lung conditions including asthma and COPD
www.bhf.org.uk – information on heart disease. hypertension and strokes
www.cancerresearchuk.org - information on Cancer types and treatments
www.diabetes.org.uk – advice and support on diabetes and self-management courses
www.macmillan.org.uk – cancer information
www.dorsetmind.uk – mental health support and advice
www.versusarthritis.org – arthritis information
