Improving the quality of COPD services

Through a series of insightful presentations, delegates will have the opportunity to learn about improving and measuring quality in current COPD services, and how the national clinical strategy for COPD is to be implemented.

Commenting on the scale of the problem, Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, Department Of Health, said: “It is estimated that over three million people in England live with this condition. One person dies in England and Wales from COPD every 20 minutes – a loss of about 25,000 lives every year.

“COPD is also the second most common cause of emergency admission to hospital and the fifth largest cause of readmission to hospital, as well as being one of the most costly diseases, in terms of acute hospital care. It has therefore become clear that we need to change our approach to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.”

The main aims of the strategy are to ensure that everyone diagnosed with COPD receives a high quality level of health and social care that is cost effective. Local communities can prevent people getting COPD by understanding the risks of having poor lung health and seek improvements in accurate diagnosis of people with the disease.

Finally, the strategy will look to support people with COPD and their carers by offering practical advice and education on managing the disease.

Chaired by Kevin Holton, head of respiratory programme, Department of Health, delegates will first hear from Professor Sue Hill, joint national clinical lead for the “respiratory programme”, the national clinical strategy for COPD, who will lead the opening address to discuss responses so far to the consultation process, as well as the need to improve and monitor the quality of COPD services.

The event takes place 10 June 2010, at the Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester. Visit: www.healthcare-events.co.uk for further details.