Birmingham OwnHealth

OwnHealth was launched in Birmingham in 2006 and is now the UK's largest telephone based programme for people with long term conditions

The Birmingham OwnHealth programme is a partnership between NHS Birmingham East and North, Pfizer Health Solutions and NHS Direct. In 2006 the programme was commissioned for 2,000 patients and targeted people with poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The early evidence showed that OwnHealth was an effective programme and as a result an extension was commissioned by NHS Birmingham East and North to expand the programme to provide care to over 10,500 patients. The programme expansion included additional long term conditions such as COPD, heart failure, stroke and TIA, chronic kidney disease and support for the frail elderly.

Each patient in the service was registered with a GP in the NHS Birmingham East and North or Walsall areas, which included some of the most deprived areas in the UK. Each patient was assigned their own Care Manager, who empowered and supported them to make informed decisions about their own care and to take action to improve their own health and wellbeing.

Patients enrolled in the Birmingham OwnHealth programme received regular phone calls from their Care Manager, who used Motivational Interviewing techniques that have been shown to empower and increase the confidence of patients, who can make more informed decisions and improve their ability to self care. Patients also received bespoke support materials, known as OwnHealth Care Books that follow the OwnHealth Basic 8 Self Management Priorities:

New _basic8The Birmingham OwnHealth programme is a successful intervention for patients with long term conditions in the West Midlands area. A recent retrospective study has demonstrated a significant impact on the reduction of unscheduled hospital admissions and associated costs¹.

Click to see OwnHealth Evidence or Why commission OwnHealth

Having demonstrated significant outcomes in Birmingham, OwnHealth was subsequently commissioned by Nottingham City PCT in July 2009. Click here to learn more.

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