Improved outlook for Somerset sufferers of breathing problems
Published: 8th February 2008
A new service aimed at improving the lives of eight thousand patients in Somerset who suffer from chronic lung disease and breathing problems is about to get underway.
Clinovia, the UK’s leading home healthcare specialist, part of the BUPA Group, in partnership with Avanaula Systems, has been awarded a three year contract from Somerset Primary Care Trust to provide a county-wide service to people affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
To explain how the new service will operate, Somerset PCT will be hosting an event at the Holiday Inn, in Taunton, on 28 February, in conjunction with the British Lung Foundation. Patients and their carers will have the opportunity to hear how the service will offer care to patients closer to their own homes, and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital admissions.
Anne Thain, Clinovia’s Development Director, said: “We are delighted to provide this new COPD service for the people of Somerset. We have many years of experience and a proven track record of delivering high quality care to patients in the community. We want to get to know our patients and give them the reassurance of knowing we are just a phone call away.
“We are committed to delivering what the patients of Somerset have asked for. This would not have been possible without our unique partnership with Avanaula, which is led by two locally respected clinicians in the field of COPD – Dr Richard More and Dr Robin Carr.
Dr Richard More from Avanaula, who has been a Somerset GP for 16 years, said: “We are delighted to be given this opportunity to offer patients the best possible treatment in the community, helping to prevent them becoming so unwell that they need to visit hospital.”
Somerset Primary Care Trust is investing more than £500,000 in the service. It was initiated by WyvernHealth.Com, a consortium of local general practitioners that represents 71 of Somerset’s 75 GP practices.
The COPD service will provide
• support for people with Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease and reduce the need for admission to hospital
• pulmonary rehabilitation and information classes
• oxygen assessment clinics for people with respiratory problems on long term oxygen.
For the first time a countywide pulmonary rehabilitation service will be provided and a fair assessment given to patients who need bottled oxygen at home.
Implementation will take place over the next six months, starting in the South Somerset area and rolling out across the county following a phased implementation plan to allow time for integration and feedback.
Dr David Rooke, chair of WyvernHealth.Com said: “This new COPD service has been designed to improve the quality of care and outcome for patients. Previously services to patients have often been fragmented. All too often patients who suddenly experienced a worsening of their condition could find themselves having to be admitted to hospital because there is not a sufficiently good level of support within the community.
“This new service is intended to offer patients care close to, or in their own homes, and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital admissions. For patients who need to go to hospital, the new service will facilitate a timely and safe discharge. For the first time the new service will also deliver a countywide pulmonary rehabilitation service and a fair assessment for patients who need bottled oxygen at home.”
The new service also has the support of patients. Jennie Woolmington, chair of the Yeovil Breathability Support Group, commended Somerset PCT for their commitment to improving local COPD.
Said Mrs Woolmington: “It is hard for people to understand what it is like to live for years with chronic breathing problems. It dominates your whole life and for many of our members it leaves them unable to do most of the activities the rest of us take for granted.
“We welcome the commitment to service improvement shown by Somerset PCT and their eagerness to listen and involve people affected by COPD in the tendering of this new service. I and my members are now looking forward to when the new services gets fully underway.”
On 28 February 2008 people affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and their carers are being invited to attend the Holiday Inn, Taunton to find out more about the new Somerset service.
Those wishing to attend must register for the event by telephoning Somerset Primary Care Trust on 01935 384000.
Clinovia, the UK’s leading home healthcare specialist, part of the BUPA Group, in partnership with Avanaula Systems, has been awarded a three year contract from Somerset Primary Care Trust to provide a county-wide service to people affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
To explain how the new service will operate, Somerset PCT will be hosting an event at the Holiday Inn, in Taunton, on 28 February, in conjunction with the British Lung Foundation. Patients and their carers will have the opportunity to hear how the service will offer care to patients closer to their own homes, and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital admissions.
Anne Thain, Clinovia’s Development Director, said: “We are delighted to provide this new COPD service for the people of Somerset. We have many years of experience and a proven track record of delivering high quality care to patients in the community. We want to get to know our patients and give them the reassurance of knowing we are just a phone call away.
“We are committed to delivering what the patients of Somerset have asked for. This would not have been possible without our unique partnership with Avanaula, which is led by two locally respected clinicians in the field of COPD – Dr Richard More and Dr Robin Carr.
Dr Richard More from Avanaula, who has been a Somerset GP for 16 years, said: “We are delighted to be given this opportunity to offer patients the best possible treatment in the community, helping to prevent them becoming so unwell that they need to visit hospital.”
Somerset Primary Care Trust is investing more than £500,000 in the service. It was initiated by WyvernHealth.Com, a consortium of local general practitioners that represents 71 of Somerset’s 75 GP practices.
The COPD service will provide
• support for people with Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease and reduce the need for admission to hospital
• pulmonary rehabilitation and information classes
• oxygen assessment clinics for people with respiratory problems on long term oxygen.
For the first time a countywide pulmonary rehabilitation service will be provided and a fair assessment given to patients who need bottled oxygen at home.
Implementation will take place over the next six months, starting in the South Somerset area and rolling out across the county following a phased implementation plan to allow time for integration and feedback.
Dr David Rooke, chair of WyvernHealth.Com said: “This new COPD service has been designed to improve the quality of care and outcome for patients. Previously services to patients have often been fragmented. All too often patients who suddenly experienced a worsening of their condition could find themselves having to be admitted to hospital because there is not a sufficiently good level of support within the community.
“This new service is intended to offer patients care close to, or in their own homes, and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital admissions. For patients who need to go to hospital, the new service will facilitate a timely and safe discharge. For the first time the new service will also deliver a countywide pulmonary rehabilitation service and a fair assessment for patients who need bottled oxygen at home.”
The new service also has the support of patients. Jennie Woolmington, chair of the Yeovil Breathability Support Group, commended Somerset PCT for their commitment to improving local COPD.
Said Mrs Woolmington: “It is hard for people to understand what it is like to live for years with chronic breathing problems. It dominates your whole life and for many of our members it leaves them unable to do most of the activities the rest of us take for granted.
“We welcome the commitment to service improvement shown by Somerset PCT and their eagerness to listen and involve people affected by COPD in the tendering of this new service. I and my members are now looking forward to when the new services gets fully underway.”
On 28 February 2008 people affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and their carers are being invited to attend the Holiday Inn, Taunton to find out more about the new Somerset service.
Those wishing to attend must register for the event by telephoning Somerset Primary Care Trust on 01935 384000.