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The Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) believe that by working together we can achieve more environmentally friendly respiratory healthcare. It has identified six key areas that require action by individual healthcare professionals, as well as commissioners, professional organisations and the pharmaceutical industry. 

Over the past 20-years, there has been an increased focus on the use of newer biologic medication in people with severe asthma that is not controlled with usual asthma medication. Although there are currently six biologics (January 2025) licensed for use in severe asthma, estimates suggest that of the 60,000 people potentially eligible for biologics in England, only 8,000-10,000 are on these treatments. 

Joining Dr Daryl Freeman (PCRS Executive Committee Member, Associate Clinical Director with Norfolk Community Health and Care, and Respiratory ICB Lead for Norfolk and Waveney) on this episode of the PCRS Podcast is Professor Mike Crooks (Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Hull York Medical School and Hull University Teaching Hospitals with particular interest in airways disease).

As healthcare professionals, we face the dual challenge of providing high-quality care while also minimising our environmental footprint. Primary care practices, particularly in respiratory care, have a unique opportunity to implement sustainable practices that not only benefit patients but also reduce the impact on our planet. This article outlines 10 strategies, divided into top wins and other things to consider, which can be used to create a greener healthcare environment. 

In this podcast Dr Fiona Mosgrove (PCRS Education Committee member, GP with special interest in respiratory medicine) is joined by Professor James Chalmers (Asthma and Lung UK Chair of Respiratory Research) to talk about bronchiectasis and in particular the new treatments that are available for this chronic lung disease.

The environment and air quality has a considerable impact on people with respiratory conditions and the symptoms they experience. In turn, respiratory conditions, and the medication which treats them, adds considerably to the NHS carbon footprint. Part of the PCRS Greener Respiratory Healthcare Campaign, this webinar aims to support understanding of this relationship and provide primary care healthcare professionals with the information and practical action they need to improve it.

The UK has the largest market for vapes in Western Europe. There has been a rapid increase in use over the last decade and, whilst this has now been stabilised in adults, there has been a sharp rise in usage in 18-24-year-olds from 2020, coinciding with the introduction of disposable and flavoured vapes into the UK, which have been popular and attractive to children and young people. In this position statement we outline the background, key issues and PCRS position on CYP and vaping. As part of this, the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) advocates that:

The NHS is under increased financial and environmental pressures. Blanket switching of medications (changing medication from one to another without patient consultation) to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly options is therefore becoming more common. Is this right for the patient? The short answer is, no. This document will support primary care respiratory leaders understand and challenge these decisions, whilst also promoting greener respiratory healthcare to align with NHS targets.

This podcast is the perfect opportunity to reflect and consider what behaviour change means to you and your practice.Our podcast host, PCRS Executive Chair Dr Katherine Hickman (GP), is joined by Alicia Piwko (Respiratory Specialist Pharmacist) and Ren Lawlor (Independent Nurse Consultant). Together, they explore what 'Supporting Behaviour Change' truly means for our patients—what it is and how we can effectively encourage it. They also discuss the complexities of working in primary care and managing the needs of dozens of individuals every day.