Chronic Conditions

These conditions are usually lifelong, cannot be cured, but can be controlled and actively managed. They can present many problems to individual health as well as a number of challenges to the wider aspects of life including education, employment, and social relationships.

Managing and treating people with chronic conditions is placing increasing pressures on the National Health Service (NHS) and other public services. This is particularly true of general practitioner (GP) and hospital services, where there is an impact on unplanned emergency admissions, length of stay in hospital, quality of patient care and waiting times across the board.

• One third of adults in Wales (an estimated 800,000) reported having at least one chronic condition.  
• Of people aged over 65 in Wales, two thirds reported having at least one chronic condition, and one third had multiple chronic conditions.
• Over three-quarters of people aged over 85 in Wales reported having a limiting long-term illness.

Trends indicate that chronic conditions are likely to increase in the future with people living longer and developing more than one chronic condition. The Welsh Assembly Government recognises the challenge of tackling chronic illness in Wales and is taking steps to improve the health and well-being of people with chronic conditions and prevent the development of those conditions where possible.