Hundreds of thousands of patents will be automatically referred to specialist charities at the point of diagnosis under a new service announced as part of the government’s covenant to improve its relationship with the sector.

The new service is called Diagnosis Connect and is aimed at providing patients with expert advice and guidance from specialist charities “to help them manage their conditions and feel more in control”, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which has announced details of the scheme.

The DHSC stresses that the support from charities “is designed to complement not replace their usual NHS care” and “recognises the vital role that civil society plays in helping repair the health of the nation”.

“Just as people with cancer or dementia are often guided to well-known charities for specialist advice and support, this new service will make sure patients with other long-term conditions are directly referred to trusted organisations from the moment they’re diagnosed,” said health and social care secretary Wes Streeting.

“It’s about making it far easier to give people the emotional support, practical guidance and confidence they need to manage their condition and live fuller, more independent lives.”

The service was revealed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a Civil Society Summit last week as he announced details of a civil society covenant aimed at resetting the government’s relationship with the sector and building trust.

A survey by accountancy organisation Kreston Global released last month found that just over four in five charity representatives believe the Labour government will negatively impact the sector.

Diagnosis Connect has been developed by the Richmond Group of charities and is set to launch next year. It aims to support 250,000 patients in its first two years, focusing on areas such as diabetes, mental health and lung conditions and will be scaled up over the coming years.

It will initially focus on patients diagnosed in primary care such as through their GP surgery. As it expands the government aims to create a digital referral system to allow NHS teams at all settings, including hospitals, to refer patients to charities for support and information.

Health charity support

“We have recently been trialling a similar programme to ensure people affected by stroke know about our services right from the point of diagnosis,” said Stroke Association chief executive and Richmond Group chair Juliet Bouverie.

“So, we’re confident that Diagnosis Connect can help transform the early stages of recovery and rehabilitation for the 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK today and their loved ones.”

Asthma + Lung UK chief executive Sarah Sleet added: “We are delighted to see Diagnosis Connect being taken up by the government, an approach Asthma + Lung UK has already championed as a game-changer for people newly diagnosed with lung conditions.

“As the NHS shifts its focus from moving more care out of hospital and into the community, ensuring people have access to advice and support to manage chronic health conditions is crucial.

“It makes absolute sense for the government to work in partnership with health charities to do this, capitalising on our vast expertise and community connections.”

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