In this 21st century, there are more and more policies and guidelines focusing on long-term conditions since these conditions are incurable but can only be controlled and improved with management long term. In Northern Ireland, a 'Living with long-term conditions' policy framework has been introduced and addressed regarding long-term conditions (LTCs) requiring high-quality care. This policy provides a better outcome by supporting good practice across 6 key development areas. The 6 key principles are essential to help people with LTC receive better care, treatment and support. The first area is the partnership between the service user and the collaborative team where communication skill is highlighted to encourage service users to play an active role in managing their condition with their individual care plan. Next, self-management is another key principle to develop so that people with LTC manage their condition effectively and can progress over time. Through training and education on the skills acquired is a good start to promoting self-management strategies that can address flare-ups, conditions and lifestyle. Therefore, information is essential to help them understand their condition and know what is best for them in order to improve their quality of life. A medication management service helps achieve the best outcomes for LTC patients while carers also need to maintain their own health to continue their caring role and act as a guardian through the provision of support. The final principle is to improve care and services at the right time and in the right way to prevent readmission and prolong hospital stay (DHSSPS, 2012). A different approach is needed for LTC to address the growing prevalence… middle of paper. .....cz-Towalska, O., Rzodkiewicz, P., Maslinska, D., Szukiewicz,D. & Maslinski, S. (2009) ‘Cryotherapy decreases blood histamine levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients’, Inflammation Research, 59(2), pp.253–255. ResearchGate [online]. Available at http://www.researchgate.net/publication/40697605_Cryotherapy_decreases_histamine_levels_in_the_blood_of_patients_with_rheumatoid_arthritis (accessed May 12, 2014). Ytterberg, SR, Mahowald, ML & Krug, HE(1994) “Exercise for Arthritis”, BailliOre's Clinical Rheumatology, 8 (1), pp. 161-189. ScienceDirect [online]. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950357905802304 (Accessed: 13 May 2014). Zelman, D. (2014) Joint Stiffness and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/joint-stiffness-and-rheumatoid-arthritis (Accessed: May 12 2014).