PATIENTS with lung disease could get help to manage their symptoms thanks to a new initiative.
The Health Partnership Action on Climate Temperature (PACT) will alert residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about changes in the temperature or air quality which may make their breathing worse by sending a message to their emai
l address or contacting them by telephone.
All patients admitted to Pontefract General Infirmary or Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield will be given the opportunity to join the pilot scheme by Wakefield District Primary Care Trust (PCT), Wakefield Council and the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which will run until June 2009.
Clive Hudson, cabinet member for environment at Wakefield Council, said: “To our knowledge this is the first system of its kind in the country.
“The alerts will enable vulnerable people to take action to prevent deterioration in their health when there are extremes of temperature or high pollution levels.”
Lisa Chandler, respiratory programme manager at the PCT, said: “This pilot scheme is aimed at people who have COPD because they often find their breathing worse during very hot weather, very cold weather or when there are high levels of air pollution.
“When they receive their alert they will be asked to look at a pack which they will have been given when they sign up for the alerts.
“This pack includes an action plan to help them look after their health. If you think you would benefit from receiving these alerts then please let your GP or nurse know.”
The full article contains 259 words and appears in Ponte and Cas Express newspaper.
