Plans to transform care for suffers of respiratory diseases

Plans to transform the care, quality of life and health outcomes for people in the North West with lung and respiratory disease have been announced.

Lung and respiratory diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) present a major problem for patients and the NHS in the North West, where over one hundred and fifty thousand patients are believed to be living with the condition.

The North West had over nineteen thousand emergency admissions due to COPD over the last year, with a total cost to the NHS of £44,027,127. Over 3,570 patients in the area also died from asthma and respiratory diseases in 2009.

With the highest number of people presenting with respiratory diseases across the country, a lack of recognition of symptoms by patients within the area often leads to late diagnosis, worsening health and wellbeing, increased emergency admissions and preventable deaths.

The ‘Outcomes Strategy’ for COPD and Asthma, published by the Department of Health, will drive improvements in outcomes for patients through the new REACT approach. This coordinates the efforts of the NHS, patients, social care and voluntary organisations can help people avoid lung disease and to lead longer and healthier lives: 

• Respiratory health and good lung health
• Early accurate diagnosis
• Active partnership between healthcare professionals and people with
• COPD/asthma,
• Chronic disease management (and good control of symptoms)
• Targeted evidence-based treatment for the individual 

Underpinning the REACT approach, the Outcomes Strategy identifies six objectives that will drive health improvements for patients. These are: 

• better prevention of COPD,
• reducing premature death,
• improving quality of life,
• improving safe and effective care,
• reducing the impact of asthma, and
• reducing inequalities in access to and quality of services. 

Everyone in the North West affected by lung and respiratory diseases can also expect to have a care planning discussion with their healthcare professional. This will allow individuals to personalise their care and plan their lung health on an ongoing basis so that they can identify any problems and seek help before their symptoms worsen.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We want to help the North West to improve awareness of good lung health, reduce the number of people with respiratory disease and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed. This will reduce the number of deaths in the region by focusing on better prevention, earlier diagnosis and excellent care and management of COPD and asthma.”