The government has announced that hundreds of thousands of patients with long-term conditions will automatically be referred to specialist charities at the point of diagnosis.

The new Diagnosis Connect will ensure patients are referred directly to trusted charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed in order to receive personalised advice, information and guidance to help them manage their condition and feel more in control.

The new support is designed to complement the usual NHS care, not replace it.

The service is due to be launched in 2026 and will support a quarter of a million people in its first two years, with a focus on areas like diabetes, mental health and lung conditions. It will then be scaled up over the years to reach more patients.

The initiative was developed by the Richmond Group and was announced by the Prime Minister at the Civil Society Summit at the Science Museum, where he also launched a new Civil Society Covenant to build stronger partnerships between government and charities, faith organisations, philanthropists, social investors and grassroots.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Being diagnosed with a long-term condition can be overwhelming. People are often handed a leaflet or a phone number and left to find help themselves—right when they’re feeling scared, confused and unsure where to turn.

"We’re changing that. 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.

"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. Our Plan for Change is delivering for patients and making an NHs fit for the future."