RECOVERY AND RESET FOR RESPIRATORY
Across the UK it is estimated that there are four million adults and children currently receiving treatment for asthma, and almost one and a half million adults diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
carried out in primary care: an estimated 450,000 per month.
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Annual reviews have traditionally taken place face to face, but COVID-19 has led to a rapid uptake in digital solutions by GP practices. The recent report – ‘Recovery and reset for respiratory’ - published by Asthma UK (AUK) and the British Lung Foundation (BLF), provided an overview of the key challenges being faced by respiratory patients – particularly following COVID-19.
The report recommended that GP practices should offer a choice of video, phone, face-to-face and digital options for carrying out annual reviews with patients, and everyone with asthma and COPD should have an action plan.
f every one of these people had one review every twelve months, there would be at least 5.4 million asthma and COPD reviews
Pharmacists should also complete annual reviews where possible.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has placed untold strain on our health service,’ said Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland. ‘When the lockdown first hit in March 2020, the health and social care trusts had to make many difficult decisions about what services and procedures to prioritise. While these decisions were necessary at the time, it’s right that we recognise the huge impact this had for countless people and families.
‘Our report found that over a third of people living with a lung condition saw their care delayed or cancelled due to the lockdown. It also revealed that a quarter of those people were now experiencing worse symptoms as a result of these delays in accessing treatment.
‘With one in five people across Scotland living with a lung condition, this is a significant event, the effects of which will be felt for years to come. With that in mind, we must focus on how the NHS can better meet the needs of those living with a lung condition as we begin to recover from the pandemic.
‘We need to see better use of digital tools and services, to allow people the ability to access care safely from their own homes. We also need to see steps taken to clear the backlog of respiratory care, focusing on those most at risk and those who have been shielding.
‘It’s vital that we put people’s health and wellbeing at the heart of our recovery. Politicians, healthcare professionals, and charities must come together and work to innovate our health services, so they can continue to provide the quality care that people need and deserve.’
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WITH ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE ACROSS SCOTLAND LIVING WITH A LUNG CONDITION, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT
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