Panel Appointed To Help Improve Lung Disease Services, UK

Main Category: COPD
Article Date: 17 Aug 2006 - 3:00 PDT

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Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) will be offered more choice and improved standards of care thanks to a newly appointed panel advising on the development of a National Service Framework.

Secretary of State Patricia Hewitt annouced the NSF in June saying that, for patients with diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the proposal would provide more choice in treatment, reduce inequalities in care, and improve standards.

Ms Hewitt said today: "I am delighted to welcome the members of the external reference group for the new National Service Framework for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

"The development of an NSF is an important step which will support the NHS in managing and delivering COPD services more effectively, in a way that supports patient choice. It will support improvements in standards, tackle the current inequalities in COPD care and ensure that patients are able to access the services they need, where and when they want them."

The 19-strong team of advisors set to sit on the NSF's external reference group are made up of health professionals, service users, carers and health service managers - picked by ministers because of their expertise in their particular areas. The group will advise on the development of the framework, ensuring the needs of patients are met.

The group will be jointly chaired by Professor Peter Calverley (President of the British Thoracic Society) and Professor Sue Hill (Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Health).

Professor Peter Calverley said:

"I am delighted to be joined by such a diverse and talented group of people who are determined to work hard on this new National Service Framework. With three million people suffering from lung disease across the country, it is clear more can be done to ensure best practice is followed and patients get the care they deserve."

Professor Sue Hill said:

"The COPD NSF gives us the opportunity to improve the care of people with this disabling condition and to take the lead internationally in the implementation of effective COPD services. "We will ensure that the National Service Framework meets the needs of all patients and that we put an end to the inequalities of care that currently exist."

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The full list of external reference group members are:

Chairs
- Professor Peter Calverley, External Chair
- Professor Sue Hill, Internal Chair

Patient representatives
- Roy Forman
- Patrick Crowe

Patient Advocate
- Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation

Respiratory Physician
- Dr Michael Morgan, University Hospitals of Leicester
- Professor Wisia Wedichza, Royal Free Hospital, London.

GP
- Dr Rupert Jones, GP with special interest, Plymouth PCT and Clinical Research Fellow at the Peninsula Medical School (Primary Care).
- Dr Noel O' Kelly, GP with special interest in respiratory disease, East Lincolnshire PCT.

Acute Sector
- Professor Robert Stockley, Medical Director, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust.
- Edna Robinson, Chief Executive Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.

PCT
- Marc Davis, Uttlesford Primary Care Trust
- Karen O'Brien, Central Manchester Primary Care Trust.

Respiratory Physiotherapist
- Julia Bott, Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust.

Respiratory Nurse
- Samantha Prigmore, St George's Hospital, London.
- Sarah-Jane Peffers, Bristol and South West PCT.

Pharmacist
- Anna Murphy, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Respiratory Measurement
- Dr Brendan Cooper, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Commissioning/ Finance
- Mr Tom Hunt, Durham Dales PCT

Clinical and Health Psychologist See Rupert Jones, GP at Plymouth PCT and Clinical Research Fellow at the Peninsula Medical School (Primary Care).

1) National Service Frameworks were established to improve services through setting national quality requirements (QRs) and markers of good practice to improve services and tackle existing variations in care.

2) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term covering a range of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a long term condition that leads to damaged airways, causing them to become narrow, making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs. There is no cure for COPD, but it can be managed through drug therapy.

For futher information please visit the UK Department of Health

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