The web-based 'NHS Wellness programme' will be piloted at the NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus from September 2010. It aims to provide motivational support to more than 1 000 patients identified by the Teaching Care Trust Plus as being at risk of developing a long-term condition in order to reduce the possibilities of developing health problems.

This is the first web and telephone-based support service targeted at patients being at risk of developing long-term conditions and the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Ruth Rankine, the Director of strategy and planning for NHS Direct, said it was exciting to be working with the trust "to pilot such a revolutionary service." She added: "Our aim is to provide patients at risk of developing long-term conditions with the support they need to make changes that will improve their future lives and, in turn, help to reduce the demand on already pressurised face to face services such as GPs."

NHS Direct is already involved in running Birmingham OwnHealth and Nottingham OwnHealth, web and telephone-based support service for patients with existing conditions. The NHS Wellness pilot will be delivered by a combination of a web-based motivational programme plus telephone support from NHS Direct's health coaches. NHS Direct said the programme would also integrate with local NHS and third sector campaigns.

Patients will be able to choose whether to access the programme via the web, telephone or, eventually, interactive voice response technology. Participants will be offered access to health education and information and be able to work with health coaches to tackle lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, exercise and healthy eating.

Vanessa Hollings, the Director of transformation at NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, commented: "We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our population. We pride ourselves on our passion to deliver high quality, innovative services and the Wellness programme will offer us a fantastic opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle choices across the borough."

NHS Direct said that pilot would be evaluated by an external evaluation team before being considered for national launch.

NHS Blackburn with Derwen formed a Care Plus Trust on 1 April 2010 to combine budgets for health and social care with Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council.

 Further information:

• Original News Article - E-Health Insider
• News Release - NHS Direct
• NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus