Living Well Living Well helping patients manage long-term conditions
L
iving Well has been operational since August 2020 across seven CHOs, with over 1,600 participants on 160 programmes. The programme adapted to an on-line offering during COVID-19 which proved popular with our service users. Interim research results to date for the online programme indicate that it is having the same well-documented benefits as the in-person programme and that the programme is making a difference in helping people to selfmanage their long-term health condition. These findings, along with strong support from Heads of Service in Health and Wellbeing, have helped to secure main stream HSE funding and will see the programme continue in 2022 and beyond. As the pandemic restrictions have eased, it is hoped that in-person programmes
will resume, while online delivery is set to continue given its success.
WHAT IS LIVING WELL? Living Well is an evidence-based self– management programme for adults with long-term health conditions. Over the course of six weeks, participants develop practical skills and confidence to better manage their health so that they can live well with their health condition. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are living with a long-term health condition (peers). Unlike clinical education programmes, Living Well does not give clinical advice or information but instead focuses on developing and enhancing the self-management skills of those who complete the programme. In this way, it complements regular treatment and structured patient education programmes. HEALTH MATTERS SPRING 2022 | 79
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