Treatment at home plan is great news for COPD sufferers in Hartlepool and North Tees

The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has introduced the scheme thanks to its Hospital at Home service.

It means patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be treated from their living rooms by a specialist team of community respiratory staff of nurses, physiotherapists and consultants.

Sarah Connor, a trust community respiratory specialist nurses, said: “Hospital at Home care means patients who have been admitted to hospital in an emergency can be discharged more quickly. Patients don’t have to make visits to hospital they would have needed to do in the past. We can provide the care patients need in their own home.

“We have regular team meetings to discuss the patient’s condition and review their treatment plan.

“The service is available for patients seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. Many patients and their families like the convenience of being able to phone the service for advice and help.”

COPD is a long term condition characterised by airway obstruction. It can be managed in ways including inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation.

Antibiotics and steroids may be needed to manage a flare up of symptoms and in some cases oxygen therapy and nebulisers are used.