THOUSANDS of Worcestershire people with long-term conditions are to receive one-to-one support from community matrons to save them visiting hospital.

Plans to provide personal care for the most vulnerable sufferers of conditions like arthritis, diabetes and asthma - thought to be about 2,460 people across the county - were announced by Health Secretary John Reid yesterday.

Reducing admissions

The introduction of about 30 old-style community matrons in Worcestershire by March 2007 will be the key to preventing premature deaths and reducing the number of emergency hospital admissions for people with long-term conditions, Dr Reid said.

"The important thing is applying this on the ground to make the lives of people with long-term conditions more comfortable, and spearheading that will be community matrons," he said.

The introduction of community matrons was announced last summer.

David Colin-Thome, the National Clinical Director for Primary Care, said that each of these areas is estimated to have about 820 patients who will be assigned their own matron.

"These are the most vulnerable people in Britain who arguably we haven't concentrated on enough in the past," Dr Colin-Thome said.

"This is a key issue. Rather than just responding to emergencies we need to deal with long-term conditions and spot problems early on."

Research carried out suggests the number of people with conditions like asthma, arthritis and diabetes is rising due to modern lifestyles and diets.

Dr Reid added: "As the number of people with such illnesses increases, new ways of working must be developed to better identify when and where help and support is needed.

Bed reduction

The move is expected to help meet the NHS target of a five per cent reduction in the number of beds used by emergency hospital admissions within the next three years.

Worcester MP Michael Foster said: "Community matrons will provide a massive benefit to patients on the ground.

"Primary care is the Cinderella of the health service and it may not be as exciting as blue flashing light accident and emergency services.

"But for those that will have these one-to-one benefits in health care it will help transform their lives on a day-to-day basis."