Spacer devices are an important tool in the treatment of asthma and COPD. They are not just accessories they meaningfully improve how much medication reaches the lungs, reduce side effects, make inhalers easier to use correctly and can improve the efficacy of treatment; they can also be especially helpful during exacerbations.Join Dr Katherine Hickman, Deb Leese and Viv Marsh as they launch and run you through the new UKIG Consensus Guide. You can find the guide in the resource section below.

Since the publication of the Darzi Report and the new NHS 10-year Health Plan: Fit for the Future, there has been an increased focus on the delivery of Neighbourhood Health to reinforce integrated care and facilitate joined-up working between primary, secondary, community and social care.In anticipation of this new healthcare landscape, PCRS is working to place respiratory care, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), at the forefront of Neighbourhood Health delivery and use it:

My name is Russell Winwood; I’m 59 years old and have been living with severe COPD for the past 14 years. Nowadays I live very well with my COPD, but it hasn’t always been like this. My journey to this point has had its ups and downs; however, I have learnt that every step has been an opportunity to learn more about my disease. My breathless journey started when I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 10. So, it’s fair to say I have had a lifetime of experience of not being able to breathe like most people do

Point-of-care testing of C-reactive protein (CRP) for the acute assessment of worsening symptoms in people known to have COPD can safely reduce the use of antibiotics and could help improve the diagnostic approach towards someone presenting in such a crisis. New high-quality evidence has emerged since the last NICE COPD update and we encourage re-opening and review of the current guideline to enable clinicians and system leaders to understand whether and how to implement this promising diagnostic aid. PCRS advocates that:

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary condition caused by one of many mutations in the SERPINA1 gene, resulting in reduced levels or absence of the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein. AAT is produced in the liver and plays a vital role in protecting lung tissue from damage by neutrophil elastase, an enzyme released during inflammation (as a response to smoking tobacco or cannabis). 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable condition that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The impact on patients, families and healthcare systems is huge, yet many exacerbations, hospitalisations and disease progression can be prevented if the fundamentals of care are delivered consistently, including early and accurate diagnosis.

PCRS advocates that: 

In this article the authors review current evidence and guidance for the treatment of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to bring up to date the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) consensus approach and algorithm first published in 2017 and then again in 2023 known as ‘Keeping it Simple’.

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: