Why self-management matters Evidence Where is the evidence? Reducing the burden: Cutting costs We have proven evidence that when people attend a self management uk course, they use their health and social care system less and more efficiently. A recent pilot showed (within a small sample): 57% reduction in unplanned A&E admissions 22% reduction in GP visits See here for more information. Benefits to attendees The evidence on the benefits of self-management education to the people with long-term conditions is also compelling. People who attend self management uk courses report an improved sense of well-being and better understanding of their condition. With greater ownership, they require less support from healthcare professionals, attend A&E less frequently and feel more confident. The self management uk course crosses the cultural, gender and age divides – and it is a sure way to enable the patient to be independent and able Read more about what some of our participants have said about us or visit our volunteers page. Community benefits Self management uk has always believed in peer education. Our volunteers have attended a self management uk course and all volunteered with us as they wanted to share the benefits they felt with others in similar situations. Communities benefit from these volunteers who are local to the courses we run and who promote: self-management and self-care the voluntary sector confidence amongst people with health conditions timely and appropriate healthcare usage Some of our volunteers go on to take on employment opportunities, either with us or other organisations, benefiting the local economy too. A social return on investment report is available for you to download. External reports, evidence and data We have listed some external reports and data on the benefits of self-management and self-care to the community, the health and social care economy and people with long-term conditions: Mental Health Foundation "Surviving or thriving", 2017 NHS England "Statutory Guidance for CCGs and NHS England; Involving people in their own care", 2017 The Pharmaceutical Journal, "Demonstrating the patient benefit and value for the NHS of community pharmacy", 2017 NHS England "Follow the value", 2017 NHS England, "Patient Activation Narrative", 2016 Nesta "Realising the Value, Empowering people, engaging communities", 2016 Nesta, "Peer support-what is it and does it work?", 2016 BMC Health Services Research "Patient activation in older people with long-term conditions and multimorbidity", 2016 British Medical Journal "Commissioning of self-management support for people with long-term conditions", 2016 University of Leicester "Independent evaluation of the feasibility of using the Patient Activation Measure in the NHS", 2015 NHS England "The Five Year Forward View", 2014 The Kings Fund "Building the house of care", 2013 Department of Health "Long-term conditions compendium of information", 2012 Government Policy "The National Framework for the NHS", 2012 The Kings Fund "Long-term conditions and mental health, the cost of co-morbidities", 2012 The Health Foundation "Helping people help themselves", 2011 A Cross-Government Paper, "No health without mental health", 2011