ARNS works with BLF to develop new COPD self-management pack
The British Lung Foundation (BLF) has published a new comprehensive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management pack available to physiotherapists, nurses and doctors to share with their patients. The packs are intended to support patients to take better control of their condition as well as help avoid flare ups and hospital admissions.
The pack includes a self-management plan and exercise handbook. It has been developed in partnership with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care (ACPRC), the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists (ARNS), the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), medical experts and patients across the UK in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standards. The self-management pack has also been endorsed by the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS-UK).
COPD accounts for around 1.4 million GP consultations a year. [i] It is the second most common cause of emergency hospital admissions in the UK (with an estimated 94,000 admissions each year), and also one of the most costly inpatient conditions treated by the NHS.[ii] It has been estimated that programmes aimed at educating COPD patients and helping them manage their own condition could save the NHS around £800m over 10 years.[iii]
The BLF will also be holding a COPD Twitter chat on 9 June at 8pm with ACPRC, ARNS, CSP, Nursing Times, PCRS-UK, Pulse Magazine as well as a number of HCPs from across the different medical disciplines. It will cover issues such as early diagnosis and patient self-management. People can join the Twitter chat and ask questions by following @lunguk and the hashtag #COPDCare.
Ann Procter, a COPD patient who has taken control of her condition through self-management, said:
“At first my COPD diagnosis meant I no longer had the freedom I enjoyed before and had to give up many of the things I loved. However, by working closely with heath care professionals on a self-management plan, my life changed dramatically. I no longer need my mobility scooter and I even went kayaking recently – something beyond my wildest dreams at one stage.
“People need to understand that having this condition doesn’t mean losing your ability to do the things you love. I’m a very different person these days, and I feel like my life has been given back to me again”.
Steven Wibberley, Chief Operating Officer at the British Lung Foundation said:
“Supported self-management and a partnership between patients and health care professionals are crucial for COPD patients to take control of their condition. Our new self-management pack will offer health care professionals the extra tools they need to help their patients achieve this”.
Katy Beckford, Communication, Website and Social Media Lead at the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists, said:
“Self-management can play an integral part in preserving a COPD patient’s sense of autonomy and contributing to their quality of life. As well as providing care, nurses play a vital role in supporting patients to better self-manage their condition. The BLF’s self-management pack will help us work through the stages of diagnosis together with our patients as well as help them manage their symptoms more effectively”.
The self-management plan and exercise handbook can be ordered separately or together so health care professionals can tailor them to the needs of their patients. The packs are available to order from www.blf.org.uk/self-management or alternatively by contacting 03000 030 555/ sales@blf.org.uk.
[i] Jordan et al. Case finding for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a model for optimising a targeted approach. Thorax, 2010 pp.492-8, at 493. http://thorax.bmj.com/content/65/6/492.long
[ii] Department of Health; An outcomes strategy for COPD and asthma: NHS companion document; NHS Companion Document; 2012
[iii] Health Care Intelligence; COPD Care Pathway Redesign. HSJ, Nov. 2010 http://www.hsj.co.uk/resource-centre/data-tools/change-forecast/800m-savings-identified-through-better-copd-care/5021578.article