Update - Scheme launched to improve health of patients with chronic lung disease

VOL: 102, ISSUE: 20, PAGE NO: 40

A new scheme that will provide specialist nursing care to people living with chronic lung disease has been launched by the British Lung Foundation. The charity is working in partnership with primary care trusts and Greater Glasgow Health Board to launch the first phase of the programme. BLF nurses will be working in Glasgow, Bristol, South Sefton, Calderdale, Oldham and Preston.

A new scheme that will provide specialist nursing care to people living with chronic lung disease has been launched by the British Lung Foundation. The charity is working in partnership with primary care trusts and Greater Glasgow Health Board to launch the first phase of the programme. BLF nurses will be working in Glasgow, Bristol, South Sefton, Calderdale, Oldham and Preston.

The long-term aims of the scheme are to improve the health status of patients with respiratory disease. It also aims to offer palliative care and to work with early and rapid supported discharge programmes to reduce hospital admissions and provide education and training to patients, carers and health professionals.

Sandra Bonner (pictured above), a British Lung Foundation respiratory specialist nurse at South Sefton PCT, has been in post now for two months. She has 10 years' experience in respiratory care.

'My current role,' she said, 'is preparatory work with the trust, GPs, and community matrons, looking at local issues and needs to optimise delivery of care to patients. I am currently doing a large-scale audit of training needs of everyone involved in the care of patients with COPD

'This is a really exciting opportunity,' she added. 'There is a lot of work going on that is very positive. The scope is there to maximise existing services, identify gaps, and plug these. I couldn't find a better, job.'

The BLF is now working to identify funding to increase the number of its nurses.