Tree branches with green leaves reaching upward to the sun
Title: CO-ACTION
Funding amount: £2.4 million
Location: Devon
Dates: June 2024 – March 2029
Project partners: University of Southampton (lead), University of Plymouth, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
University of Plymouth Co-I: Dr Hannah Wheat (co-lead) and Professor Richard Byng (co-lead)
University of Plymouth staff: Alankrita Singh (Research Fellow) and Dr Adam Stewart (Research Assistant)
University of Southampton Co-I: Dr Dorit Kunkel (co-lead) and Professor Mari Carmen Portillo (co-lead)
CO-ACTION research project logo
 

Context of the issue

Living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) – often called multimorbidity – involves multiple appointments and care plans, where patient priorities are frequently overlooked.
Common challenges include pain, mobility issues, and reduced social interactions with family and friends, which can lead to loneliness and poor mental health. People living with MLTCs have expressed a desire for care that focuses on wellbeing rather than just managing medical conditions. However, there is still much we need to learn about how to provide person-centred support, particularly for underserved and non-English-speaking groups, and how to effectively integrate health, social care, and voluntary services.

How the project addresses the issue

The CO-ACTION project aims to design, test, and implement a health and wellbeing intervention with and for people living with MLTCs. We will work with researchers and local health, social care and third sector professionals to identify the needs of local populations. To make sure CO-ACTION works well for local communities that often miss out on support, we will involve people with lived experience and carers. They will help shape the project and guide us throughout, including helping to design the support we offer.
By working closely with underserved communities, we aim to develop a more integrated, accessible, and person-centred model of care. This model is likely to include a single point of contact, who will work closely with individuals to understand their needs, identify personal goals, and facilitate access to health, social, and voluntary support.