Many patients live with health conditions that require regular monitoring and review.
These are often known as long-term conditions (LTCs) and may include conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD and other respiratory conditions
Regular reviews help ensure that treatment remains safe, effective and appropriate while supporting patients to stay as healthy as possible.
Why Are Long Term Condition Reviews Important?
Many health conditions can change over time.
Even when patients feel well, regular monitoring can help identify potential problems before they become more serious.
Long-term condition reviews allow healthcare professionals to:
- Monitor how well a condition is controlled
- Check whether medications remain appropriate
- Identify potential side effects or complications
- Arrange investigations where required
- Provide advice and support
- Update treatment plans when necessary
Regular reviews are an important part of preventative healthcare and can help reduce the risk of future health problems.
Why Are Blood Tests Sometimes Needed?
Some conditions and medications require regular blood test monitoring.
Blood tests can help clinicians assess:
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar control
- Medication safety
- General health markers
Without appropriate monitoring, it may not always be possible to safely continue certain medications.
For this reason, patients may sometimes be contacted and asked to arrange blood tests before medication can be reviewed or reissued.
More Than Just Medication Checks
Long-term condition reviews are not simply about prescribing medication.
They provide an opportunity to discuss:
- Symptoms and concerns
- Lifestyle factors
- Diet and exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Weight management
- Mental wellbeing
- Future healthcare needs
The aim is to support patients in managing their condition and maintaining the best possible quality of life.
A Team Approach to Care
Long-term condition reviews may be carried out by different members of the healthcare team depending on the condition and individual circumstances.
This may include:
- Practice nurses
- Clinical pharmacists
- Healthcare assistants
- GPs
- Other specialist healthcare professionals
By using the most appropriate healthcare professional, patients can receive timely support while ensuring GP appointments remain available for those who need them most.
Helping Patients Access Reviews
Horizon Healthcare offers a range of appointment options to help patients access reviews and monitoring when required.
Patients may be contacted by text message, telephone or letter when a review becomes due.
Keeping your contact details up to date helps ensure important invitations and reminders can be received promptly.
Supporting More Than 29,000 Patients
As a practice supporting more than 29,000 patients across Derby, Horizon Healthcare carries out thousands of reviews, monitoring appointments and healthcare checks every year.
These reviews play an important role in helping patients remain well, reducing avoidable complications and supporting safe prescribing.
New Patients Welcome
Horizon Healthcare welcomes new patient registrations from Derby and the surrounding areas.
If you would like to find out more about the services available at Horizon Healthcare, including long-term condition management and monitoring, please visit our registration page or contact our team.