COPD Screening

Our records indicate that you are at risk of COPD. This is because you are or have been a smoker and have used an inhaler without any formal diagnosis of either COPD or another respiratory condition.

 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. 

In the UK there are 1.3 million people with a diagnosis of COPD. And each year, around 30,000 people die in the UK from COPD. 

With COPD, the airways in your lungs become inflamed and thicken, and the tissue where oxygen is exchanged is destroyed. The flow of air in and out of your lungs decreases. When that happens, less oxygen gets into your body tissues, and it becomes harder to get rid of the waste gas carbon dioxide. 

If severe, it can lead to long-term dependence on Oxygen and lead to a very poor quality of life with shortness of breath, coughing, excess sputum / secretions, recurrent infections and hospital admissions.

There is no cure to COPD and so early detection and treatment is vital to reduce the amount of damage and subsequent symptoms both short and long-term. As part of the service, we will be offering smoking cessation guidance, support and referrals, as smoking is the biggest cause.

The test is very simple and does not take long. It involves blowing into a tube to analyse the airflow of your lungs and airways. 

After the test, one of the Clinicians will analyse the results and let you know the result. If the test shows an abnormality, you will be invited to see the Practice Nurse or COPD lead to discuss the diagnosis.

At your follow-up appointment, the diagnosis will be explained in detail and treatment options will be discussed. We will also provide guidance and help if you are still smoking and provide a care plan of what to do if you were to get any breathing difficulties. If you are started on inhaler treatment, this will be explained and demonstrated as well.