title: Journal scan.
abstract: In the UK, 17.5 million people have a long-term health condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and arthritis. In the past these patients have not always had the opportunity to maintain or improve their health and to avoid the need for lengthy hospital admission. The government document, Supporting People with Long-term Conditions, aims to fill that gap and to achieve a 5 per cent reduction in emergency bed days by 2008. The government has called for 3,000 community matrons to be employed across England and Wales. Their role is to act as case manager for up to 50 patients with long-term conditions and to prevent hospital admission by providing intensive home support. The role is based on the 'Evercare system' introduced for the US. An interim report on the UK project suggests that it is proving popular with the people involved but the cost savings associated with reduction in hospitalisation may be harder to demonstrate.
authors.affiliation: University of portsmouth.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sander