To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the NHS in Northern Ireland (a) to encourage and (b) to assist self-management by patients of long-term health conditions. (103439)

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has been encouraging the introduction of self-management programmes for a number of long-term health conditions. In 2006-07, the Department invested £4 million, through the General Medical Services Contract, in a number of Directed Enhanced Services. The main aim of this investment is to enable GP practices to provide effective self management training and action plans for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and for patients who are obese.

The Department has also set a target which requires the HSS boards and trusts to develop proposals, by 31 December 2006 to introduce a Structured Education Programme for people with diabetes to help them manage their own condition more effectively.