Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)

Our high-level priorities have been identified by the South Tyneside Respiratory Strategy Group and endorsed by South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group:

• Support a comprehensive Tobacco Control Strategy for South Tyneside
  • Particularly supporting Stop B4 Your Op pathways and a Smoke Free Hospitals Model in South Tyneside, which includes maintaining quit attempts when patients are discharged into the community,
• Clearly define the local COPD pathway (including prescribing and admission guidance) and share this with primary and secondary care,
  • Conduct biannual training sessions for primary care on the local COPD system,
• Review current community spirometry arrangements to avoid false-negative and false-positive spirometry results,
• Pilot self-care approaches to COPD, supporting individuals to better manage their own condition,
• Review pulmonary rehabilitation and design a strategy for increasing activity levels,
• Design a new in-hours pathway for COPD exacerbations (potentially community-based ambulatory care pathways),
• Review secondary care treatment options and pathways, relative to other similar CCG areas.