PRACTICAL support for two schemes launched last year to help care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been given by Breathe Easy North Herts. The schemes introduced by the North Herts and Stevenage Primary Care Trust enable people

PRACTICAL support for two schemes launched last year to help care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been given by Breathe Easy North Herts.

The schemes introduced by the North Herts and Stevenage Primary Care Trust enable people with lung disorders to get treatment at home, either avoiding being detained in hospital or being released earlier than they would normally be.

One is a centralised nebuliser lending service controlled by Dr Thida Win, a newly-appointed consultant chest physician at Lister Hospital.

The other involved the appointment of a community matron, Wendy Weller, working from the Regal Surgery in Hitchin and caring for patients with the aim of reducing hospital admissions.

She started her work with 50 cases drawn from the practice list.

Breathe Easy North Herts is part of the support network of The British Lung Foundation and has a membership of over 100 local COPD sufferers.

In the past it has purchased nebulisers for local clinics and Lister Hospital. It was able to help Dr Win by buying 30 nebulisers to start the lending scheme

And now it has purchased a laptop computer to help Wendy Weller in her work by allowing her to access patient records while visiting them in their homes. It will also be used for training purposes at the clinic.