PCRS Position Statement - Frailty and respiratory disease in primary care (Update 2026)

Respiratory disease and frailty should be considered jointly when caring for this vulnerable group of patients. Respiratory disease contributes to frailty and frailty must be considered when managing respiratory disease, in conjunction with other comorbidities, psychological and social issues.

• Primary care should proactively identify and support people living with frailty and respiratory diseases. Use population case finding combined with individual assessments to grade frailty and tailor care.
• Assessments should be undertaken with the patient and their usual carer(s) to agree a shared plan, optimise medicines, address nutrition and physical activity, support independence with activities of daily living and consider other non-pharmacological interventions (e.g. pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation).
• Appropriateness of medications should be reviewed in the context of self-administration and available care package, dexterity, dysphagia/aspiration risk and cognitive impairment.
• It is important when caring for this vulnerable group of patients that all the primary and community health team are utilised (community pharmacy, social care, therapy teams ect).  
• Patients should have a clear, concise management plan that is available to and understood by all those providing care including, where appropriate, ceiling of care and end-of-life discussions.