Scottish Health Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Long-Term Condition Support 

• Half of Scottish adults are living with a long-term health condition
• Too many people are living without support to manage conditions such as heart disease, COPD and stroke, according to Scotland’s leading health charity

• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland calls for urgent change and investment to provide more long-term condition support, including third sector services

Scotland’s largest health charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) has responded to the Scottish Government’s Scottish Health Survey which was published this week. 

The survey is published annually by Scottish Government and provides information on the health and factors relating to health of people living in Scotland. 

The latest report has revealed that half of adults are living with a long-term condition, either physical or mental. This has increased significantly since 2003, when only 41% lived with a long-term condition – an increase of nearly 25%. 

Two in five adults (39%) said they had a long-term condition that limited day to day activities, including through mobility problems, stamina and fatigue. 

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “The latest findings from the Scottish Health Survey lays out a stark picture; more and more people in Scotland are living with long-term conditions and we’ve witnessed a significant increase over the last 20 years. 

“Despite that steep rise, our health and social care system remains built around acute need and not the day-to-day reality of living with a long-term condition. This approach leaves too many people without the consistent, tailored support they need to manage their health and live well. 

“We’re calling for a fundamental change in our approach. Everyone living with a long-term condition must be offered the support they need, including access to rehabilitation and supported self management. Charities like CHSS are part of the solution but we need clinicians to be able to refer directly to us, so that everyone gets the right support, in the right place at the right time.” 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.