Welcome to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Documents / Leaflets
Useful Sites
- This will open a new window to Spirometry Best Practice Guidance (PCC, 2013)
- This will open a new link to British Lung Foundation
- This will open a new window to Ace Lifestyle - Weight management
- Opens a new window to NICE Guidance NG115 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management
- NICE Guidance NG114 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (acute exacerbation): antimicrobial prescribing
- This will open a new window to St Helena
- This opens a new window to Provide Stop Smoking services
We provide a comprehensive assessment for people with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and we:
- Will help you to create a self-management action plan for when you are well
- Will help you to deal with exacerbations
- Will teach you how to use your inhaler/nebuliser properly, for most benefit
- Will show you techniques to help with chest clearance and breathlessness
- May make recommendations to your GP about your medication
We can make referrals to other services which would help you such as pulmonary rehab, home oxygen assessment, respiratory physiotherapy, community rehabilitation, dietetics, community nursing.
We are currently able to offer free access to MyCOPD, an online self-management application for people with moderate to severe COPD. Please ask the COPD Team for more information and to see if you are eligible.
We can offer early supported discharge, this means that if you are admitted to hospital because of your COPD, the hospital can request rapid access to our services to help get you home quicker with our support. We can provide same day advice and home visit if needed.
We operate an 'open door policy' for all our registered patients which means that you can ring us and discuss issues with your breathing over the phone or request home visits.
We provide guidance and support to other healthcare professionals and work closely with the COPD nurse specialist and respiratory consultants at Colchester Hospital.
Where is the Service provided?
We offer clinics at:
Harwich and District Hospital
Main Road
Harwich CO12 4EX Click here for map
Clacton and District Hospital
Tower Road
Clacton on Sea CO15 1LH Click here for map
We will also arrange home visits where clinically needed or if the person is housebound.
How to access the service
If you have not been known to us before your GP or health professional will need to refer you.
If are known to us you can self-refer. Call 0300 0032 144 during office hours (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, not Bank Holidays) and let the administrator know you have been to the COPD Team before and would like to be contacted by the COPD duty nurse.
You will be asked some questions which will allow us to access your details and ensure that you receive the most appropriate response.