A Respiratory Service Framework setting out the components of optimal primary and community respiratory care has been published by PCRS.

Point-of-care testing of C-reactive protein (CRP) in primary care may help reduce unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics for people with COPD, according to new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Patients with mental health conditions who are prescribed varenicline to quit smoking, are more likely to have quit at two-year follow-up compared to patients prescribed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), reports a study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

New funding to deliver improvements in respiratory care with a focus on reducing local health inequalities and improving prevention is promised in a report setting out how the NHS Long Term Plan will be delivered.

PCRS is offering several bursaries to support the registration costs of healthcare professionals, who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend the PCRS Respiratory Conference 2019. Funded by Napp Pharmaceuticals, the bursaries are open to any UK based health professional.

New research suggests that e-cigarettes are more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) at helping smokers to quit but NRT works better in older people with tobacco dependency.

Primary healthcare professionals can play a key role in improving survival from lung cancer by treating tobacco dependency earlier, raising awareness of symptoms, collecting data accurately and encouraging reluctant patients to present.

Today is World NoTobacco Day. This annual campaign, run by the World Health Organisation, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second hand smoke exposure.

A new approach to respiratory education has shown that primary healthcare professionals benefit significantly from inter-professional education delivered by a multidisciplinary team.

Please note an error has been corrected in the PCRS treatment guidelines article "All that glitters is not GOLD, nor is it even NICE" which first appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Primary Care Respiratory Update.

A comprehensive geriatric assessment and a holistic approach in primary care is key to reducing the impact of frailty and co-morbidities in older patients with COPD.

A community pharmacy project to support patients with asthma to change their behaviour and improve control of their condition has been launched in North West London.

Today is World Asthma Day and an opportunity to encourage your patients and colleagues to adopt the positive approach being promoted by the Asthma Right Care social movement.