The criteria for pulmonary rehabilitation have changed. In addition to patients with COPD, the service offers the program to patients with other chronic lung diseases. These referrals will normally be accepted from the specialist care teams – this ensures the patient is optimised and safe to exercise.

The team provides spirometry for diagnosing COPD, especially for patients who may be more complex and/or may not attend an appointment in a more formal diagnostic space. 

The referral criteria are:

• smokers or ex-smokers (including cannabis, crack or heroin) over the age of 35 with a minimum 10-pack-year history of smoking 
• present with symptoms of COPD:
  • exertional breathlessness
  • chronic cough
  • regular sputum production
  • frequent winter bronchitis
  • wheeze
• and do not have clinical features of asthma:
  • significantly variable breathlessness
  • night-time wakening with breathlessness and/or wheeze
  • significant diurnal or day-to-day variability of symptoms.

Camden COPD service cares for patients with a diagnosis of COPD confirmed with obstruction on spirometry, and supports other healthcare professionals in the management of COPD. In addition, the pulmonary rehabilitation program will accept patients with chronic lung disease. The COPD & Home Oxygen Service supports the safe and effective use of home oxygen therapy for all people that are receiving it with a Camden GP.

The service offers the following:

• home visits for COPD self-management (those that are frequently exacerbating or truly housebound)
• respiratory clinics for patients with deteriorating symptoms not manageable in primary care and spirometry for diagnosis
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• home oxygen service – assessment and review

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• aged 18+
• registered with a Camden GP
• confirmed diagnosis of COPD (for home pathway management).

Exclusions

Not suitable for those who:

• require full pulmonary lung function testing for diagnosis
• assessment for complex interventions such as type 2 respiratory failure or hypercapnia, assessment for lung volume reduction interventions.

How to Refer