SysteMatic

The SysteMatic Project: Prevention, precision and equity by design for people living with multiple long-term conditions.

SysteMatic was a research collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the University of Glasgow, funded by the NIHR and EPSRC through the Systems Engineering Innovation hubs for Multiple long-term Conditions (SEISMIC) scheme. The project set out to reimagine how health and care systems support people living with Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTCs).

MLTCs affect one in three people in the UK—a number that continues to rise, especially among disadvantaged communities. Our project focused on designing practical, equitable solutions to improve care and outcomes for those most affected.

Over the course of the project, we worked closely with people with lived experience, practitioners, system leaders, and technical experts to co-design plans for an Innovation Hub. This hub imagines new ways to integrate prevention, self-management, and care navigation into health and care systems—particularly in underserved communities in Liverpool and Glasgow. We are now exploring opportunities for follow on funding to implement the plans developed through the project.

Key Focus Areas:

• Working-age adults with complex, combined physical and mental health needs
• Children and families in high-stress environments at risk of early-onset conditions
• Older adults with emerging health issues where early intervention is possible

Project Outputs: Public Facing Animation

The University of Glasgow's People Insights team created a short animation to highlight the challenges faced by marginalised individuals with MLTC. It tells the story of Robert, a 45-year-old in recovery who is managing MLTCs. Voiced by a member of the public, the animation provides an authentic look at the systemic and practical barriers such individuals face, illustrating the complexities of their health journeys and broader societal impacts.

This animation serves to illuminate the lived experiences of those navigating complex health systems under marginalisation. Robert’s story highlights how financial hardship, transportation issues and logistical challenges with medications and appointments hinder self-care. It functions as an educational tool for healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers, fostering empathy and understanding while advocating for systemic reforms. It also serves as a platform to drive conversations about more equitable healthcare systems that address the needs of those with MLTCs.

Project Legacy: The SysteMatic Digital Commons

The University of Liverpool have developed the SysteMatic Digital Commons — an open, evolving resource hub that shares our learning, methods, tools, and insights. It is designed for continued collaboration, offering value to:

• Researchers working in MLTCs, systems engineering, or health inequalities
• Practitioners and policymakers aiming to improve service design
• Community groups and individuals seeking patient-centred innovation

We invite you to explore the Digital Commons to discover how our shared work can support future action on MLTCs.

For further information about the project, contact: chil@liverpool.ac.uk