Respiratory service

Service description

The team see housebound patients in their homes, provide respiratory clinics in our community hospitals and work alongside GPs and practice nurses to promote best practice in the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). People affected by COPD are often breathless, have a cough and phlegm and may get lots of chest infections. It is usually caused by smoking. The aim of the service is to improve the care delivered to patients, reduce avoidable admissions to hospital, minimise length of stay, support self management and offer support and clinical advise to healthcare professionals. The service works closely with the Community Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service.

Referral criteria

We do accept referrals from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD; however the patient must have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, plus at least one of the following:

• The patient may require a review of their medications for COPD
• The patient has had a recent admission with an exacerbation of their COPD
• The patient may be on optimal medication and are frequently exacerbating (more than three times per year)