PCRS Position Statement - Chronic Breathlessness

PCRS recognises a need for improvement in the timely diagnosis of people living with chronic breathlessness and generally welcomes the NHS England diagnostic pathway support tool. PCRS has some concerns that a diagnostic algorithm can communicate an oversimplification of diagnosis. We are disappointed that this pathway will not be accompanied by the long awaited and hoped for, but now deprioritised, NICE Breathlessness guideline. PCRS would highlight to those responsible for resourcing cardiorespiratory diagnostics that they should take care to avoid a disproportionate focus on ‘hubs’ to ensure that the comprehensive diagnostic approach seen in primary care is not eroded as a result.