The overall goal of the Integrated Respiratory Care Theme for CLAHRC is to improve the health of patients with COPD and asthma within Wessex, by interventions at each stage in the “care journey” for these patients:
- Identifying the many symptomatic patients with undiagnosed COPD in Wessex (in order to improve prognosis)
- By encouraging smoking cessation and exercise programmes and by early commencement of effective medication
Secondly, by identifying variation in outcomes of patients with COPD (in order to highlight underperforming sectors in need of targeted interventions).
Thirdly, by developing training and mentoring for GPs and practice nurses to improve respiratory skills within primary care in Wessex.
