NHS Lothian has launched a new, nurse-led service, aimed at improving patient care in the community, for people with long term conditions.

Edinburgh IMPACT, an anticipatory care service, is being rolled out across the city by the Edinburgh Community Health Partnership and will target patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure.

A total of ten nurse care co-ordinators have been recruited to develop and deliver the anticipatory care service which will initially target patients over sixty-five, helping to shift the balance of care away from hospitals to community settings.

Carl Bickler, Clinical Lead for Edinburgh IMPACT, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership said: "We will be looking at making a number of improvements to patient care, including clinical and social care, providing continuity of care across all services and offering carer support to all patients participating in this initiative."

David Small, General Manager, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership said: "We are committed to looking at ways of continually developing healthcare in the community. This initiative is part of our long term condition management strategy which anticipates and prevents problems before they develop rather than reacting to situations as they happen."

Sally Lee, Chief Nurse, Edinburgh Community Health and Care Partnership said: "This is a welcome addition to the work we are already doing in supporting patients with healthcare services in the community. The service aims to provide patients and their carers with the right treatment and care, in the right place, at the right time, giving them greater independence to help lead as full a life as possible."

The initiative aims to target approximately 1,700 patients across Edinburgh.