New COPD Commissioning Resources Now Available for ICBs and System Partners
The core aims of ARNS (the Association of Respiratory Nurses) include championing the respiratory nursing community, promoting excellence in practice, and influencing respiratory health policy. Variations in diagnostics, quality of care, and health outcomes for people living with COPD are unacceptable. ARNS supports the use of innovative interventions which can help to reduce premature mortality and enhance the quality of life of people with COPD. As a result, ARNS would like to highlight this information which can equip respiratory nurses with the knowledge and tools needed to provide high-quality care to the relevant populations. ARNS encourages you to disseminate the information to your teams to ensure that the respiratory nursing workforce is equipped to deliver the best possible care for people living with COPD.
1. COPD: Commissioning Strategies and Resources
This publication provides commissioners and local system leads with practical strategies and resources to support consistent, equitable and sustainable COPD treatment pathways. It has been shaped by experts from across the respiratory care system, including clinicians, commissioners, professional societies, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise partners, and people with lived experience.
Additionally, we would like to share a visual diagram illustrating the COPD Population Health Management Approach.
2. Business Case Guidance: COPD Biologics
This guidance provides a robust evidence base to support the development of local business cases for service transformation. It includes:
- clinical and service benefits for patients and systems
- cost and health impact information
- ready-to-use text that teams can incorporate directly into business cases
Developed through engagement with ICB commissioning leads and review of existing evidence and guidelines, the guidance also includes a recommended clinical pathway to support local planning and implementation.
It sets out the case for change, recognising the significant impact of COPD on patients and the NHS, and emphasises the importance of optimising the entire patient pathway. Within this, it highlights how emerging options such as biologic therapies can play a role in reducing exacerbation-related harm and improving overall outcomes.
3. Innovative Care Model Case Studies: Learning for COPD Services
The case studies have been developed to help local systems explore new and innovative service models that support the adoption of innovative treatments and pathways. They present a range of real-world examples, from both respiratory and non-respiratory settings, that illustrate practical approaches to redesigning care pathways and implementing new therapies.
Together, they offer transferable principles, evidence and data that can be applied and adapted to local contexts, helping systems shape and model their own services.
All resources are designed to be used together to support consistent, proactive and equitable COPD care across England.