Appt Health’s Multi-Morbidity Service: Now in beta – Join sus to shape the future of chronic condition management
Appt Health has officially launched its Multi-Morbidity Care platform, now available in beta. If your practice is looking to enhance how it manages long-term conditions, there’s still space to join.
To maximise impact, we carefully selected four key conditions for our initial launch: hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). These conditions were chosen due to their high prevalence, the significant burden they place on both patients and the healthcare system, and their frequent coexistence with other chronic diseases.
In this blog, we outline why these conditions were prioritised and how our approach is designed to improve patient outcomes and streamline care coordination.
Hypertension: the most prevalent long-term condition
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common long-term conditions in England, affecting 30% of adults. Prevalence increases with age, rising from 9% among individuals aged 16 to 44, to 60% in those aged 65 and over (NHS Digital).
Hypertension frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. It is the most common long-term condition in general practice, affecting 18.2% of patients, and often coexists alongside conditions such as CKD, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (NIHR). This interconnected nature of hypertension makes effective management essential in preventing further health complications.
From a healthcare system perspective, the cost of health complications associated with hypertension is estimated to exceed £2 billion annually (GOV.UK). Addressing hypertension effectively can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other long-term conditions, lowering NHS costs while improving patient health.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): a growing burden
CKD is a progressive condition that affects 13.9% of adults in England (PubMed Central). It is often underdiagnosed in its early stages, leading to late interventions and increasing the risk of complications such as heart disease and kidney failure.
The economic burden of CKD is significant. In 2009-2010, CKD accounted for £1.45 billion in NHS spending, approximately 1.3% of total NHS expenditure (PubMed Central). Among people with type 2 diabetes, 30% will develop CKD, further increasing healthcare costs and complexity (PubMed Central).
By including CKD in our Multi-morbidity Service, we aim to support earlier diagnosis and more proactive management, preventing progression to more severe stages that require costly treatments such as dialysis or kidney transplants.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): a leading cause of hospital admissions
COPD affects 4.9% of the UK population (PubMed). The impact of COPD on NHS resources is substantial, with annual direct healthcare costs estimated at £1.9 billion (Asthma + Lung UK).
One of the biggest challenges in COPD management is its high level of multimorbidity. 86% of individuals with COPD have at least one additional long-term condition, compared to 48.9% of those without COPD (PubMed). Common comorbidities include:
- Mood, stress-related, and anxiety disorders (25.2%)
- Osteoporosis or hip fractures (17.4%)
- Diabetes mellitus (15.6%)
- Peripheral arterial disease (13.5%)
- Heart failure (13.3%)
(BMJ Open Respiratory Research)
With COPD-related hospital admissions rising, a proactive approach to patient engagement can help reduce the risk of exacerbations and improve overall lung health.
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): A growing epidemic
Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic conditions in the UK. One in five adults is now living with either diabetes or pre-diabetes, affecting 12.2 million people (The Guardian). The majority of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is closely linked to lifestyle factors.
T2D is a leading contributor of multimorbidity, often occurring alongside hypertension, CKD, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with diabetes are also more likely to require hospital treatment for complications, leading to longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs (PubMed Central).
Early intervention and structured patient support are key to reducing complications, hospitalisations, and the long-term economic impact of T2D.
Why we chose these conditions for our multi-morbidity service
1. High prevalence and frequent comorbidity
These conditions are among the most common in primary care and often occur together. Hypertension and CKD are particularly common in patients with type 2 diabetes, increasing the complexity of care management (BMC Medicine).
2. Silent progression and late diagnoses
Conditions like hypertension and CKD develop without noticeable symptoms, meaning many patients are diagnosed late, often after complications have already developed. A proactive, engagement-driven approach can support earlier identification and intervention.
3. Financial and resource strain on the NHS
The rising prevalence of these conditions increases demand on NHS resources, particularly as they lead to costly complications and hospital admissions. Addressing them early through structured engagement can help reduce long-term costs.
4. Opportunity for digital innovation
Digital-first, personalised communication strategies and automated administrative processes can enhance disease management, reducing the need for in-person visits while keeping patients engaged in their care. Our service leverages these tools to help improve long-term outcomes.
Join our beta programme – Help shape the future of long-term condition management
By focusing on hypertension, CKD, COPD, and T2D, Appt Health aims to identify issues earlier, enhance patient engagement, and streamline care coordination—ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing pressure on the NHS.
If your practice is interested in joining our beta programme and helping shape the next phase of our Multi-Morbidity Service, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch at charly@appt-health.co.uk to learn more.