Reducing winter pressures: How primary care can lead the way and improve lung health
Winter brings predictable surges in respiratory illness and pressure across urgent and emergency care. This paper sets out a practical, primary care-led framework to reduce avoidable demand by acting earlier on respiratory risk. We describe seven interventions:
- Data-driven risk stratification
- Personalised self‑management planning
- Maximising vaccination uptake
- Treating tobacco dependence
- Smart safe use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rescue packs
- Linking with community teams and social prescribers
- Coordination with community pharmacy.
Each intervention includes concrete ‘Actions’ for implementation and is supported by real-world case studies. Taken together, these measures offer a replicable approach to anticipatory neighbourhood‑based care that can reduce exacerbations and admissions and address health inequalities over winter while improving patient experience and professional collaboration.
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