“Multimorbidity” is a word that appears frequently in healthcare conversations and media. But what does multimorbidity actually mean? And why should we care?
Simply, it means a single individual having two or more long-term health conditions at the same time. For example, patients simultaneously living with diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis is a common occurrence.
With multiple conditions to monitor and treat, someone with multimorbidity often finds it affects their daily life and makes managing their healthcare more complicated. It often means dealing with disconnected care: different treatment plans, multiple appointments with various specialists, and several medications. For the patient, this can lead to confusion, frustration, and worse health outcomes—something many of us might relate to.
The prevalence of multimorbidity in the UK
Worldwide, multimorbidity is alarmingly common, but in the UK, it is a particularly pressing issue. Approximately one in four UK adults is affected (1), and the prevalence rises sharply with age. According to data, 73% of those aged 65 and over live with two or more chronic conditions (2), making multimorbidity a critical focus of healthcare planning.
Systematic reviews of multimorbidity identify depression, hypertension, and diabetes as the most prevalent co-occurring conditions (3). These combinations add layers of complexity to both patient lives and the healthcare system.
Why does multi-morbidity matter?
Multimorbidity is an issue that affects both individuals and healthcare systems alike, making it a pressing challenge we can’t ignore.
Growing concern: As the population ages, multimorbidity is becoming increasingly common. In the UK, the number of people aged 65 and older is set to rise by nearly 50% over the next 20 years (4). This trend means multimorbidity isn’t just a temporary issue—it’s a long-term reality.
Challenge for Healthcare: Most healthcare systems are designed to treat one condition at a time (5). However, multimorbidity demands a more holistic, patient-centred approach. Without this shift, healthcare systems risk inefficiencies, poorer patient outcomes, and significant financial strain. Managing multiple conditions often leads to higher healthcare costs due to increased appointments, treatments, and medications (6)—problems we can’t afford to ignore.
The cost of multimorbidity
Multimorbidity is a significant challenge, placing both financial and personal strain on the NHS and patients. Here’s a closer look at its impact:
The strain on NHS resources
Patients with multiple long-term conditions often need frequent GP visits, specialist appointments, diagnostic tests, and prescriptions (7). A study by the Health Foundation found that over a two-year period, individuals with four or more chronic conditions averaged 28.9 primary care consultations, whereas those with a single condition averaged 10.0 consultations (8). That’s 2.89 times more!
This high demand puts enormous pressure on the NHS, leading to inefficiencies, delays in care, and overstretched services.
The financial burden on the NHS
Managing multimorbidity is far more expensive than treating single conditions. The main drivers of these costs include:
- More diagnostic tests.
- Longer hospital stays.
- The need for coordinated care across multiple specialties.
- Greater reliance on complex medication plans (9).
According to the UK's Major Conditions Strategy, individuals with two or more conditions account for over half of NHS costs, including around 50% of hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and primary care consultations (10). This is ~£90 billion based on the 2022/3 NHS budget!
The NHS already spends billions annually on patients with multimorbidity (11), and these costs are set to rise with an ageing population.
Steps to relieve the pressure
In response to these challenges, over 4,000 care coordinators have been employed across the UK (12). They help GPs manage complex cases by coordinating care across services. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s far from a complete solution.
The personal impact on patients
For individuals, multimorbidity often means fewer healthy years and a diminished quality of life (13). Living with multiple conditions can result in:
- Difficulty managing daily activities.
- Increased psychological stress.
- A greater dependency on healthcare services.
These challenges not only affect physical health but also take a toll on mental well-being and independence, highlighting the need for more integrated and patient-centred care.
Why action is needed
Multimorbidity is a costly and complex problem for healthcare systems and individuals alike. Tackling this issue requires a shift toward efficient, coordinated approaches that address both systemic and personal challenges, ensuring better outcomes for patients and easing the financial burden on the NHS.
At Appt Health, we’re working to revolutionise multimorbidity care through smarter coordination and innovative solutions. By integrating patient-centred approaches and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to simplify care for those with multiple conditions.
Get in touch now to find out how we can help transform care coordination and improve outcomes for patients and providers alike.