The ‘Service Framework for Respiratory Health and Well-being’ will be supported with an investment of at least £2.5million for the implementation of the framework as well as £3.2million to support people suffering from asthma bronchitis and emphysema. This will include improving access to drugs and services as well as the development of community services to allow people to manage their condition at home.
Speaking as he visited a rehabilitation programme for people suffering from lung disease at Ards Leisure Centre Michael McGimpsey said: “Diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema are very common in Northern Ireland. Each year there are over 1,900 deaths due to respiratory disease and there any many people living with chronic respiratory conditions each and every day.
“This framework includes 56 standards in relation to the prevention, treatment and care of people suffering from a range of respiratory diseases. It aims to improve services by supporting people in their own homes, avoiding the need for admission to hospital – just one way in which our service is changing to meet the needs of those we serve.
“To support the framework I am allocating at least £5.7million. Almost half of this money will be used by our Health and Social Care Trusts and GPs to implement the framework and ensure that people at risk and suffering from respiratory illness are given appropriate assistance to understand their condition and how it will be treated. £3.2million will specifically be used to give assistance to people suffering from bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.”
Commenting on the rehabilitation programme in Ards the Minister continued: “I am very impressed with this programme which has been developed by the South Eastern Trust and Ards Borough Council, to help people suffering from lung disease such as bronchitis and emphysema to cope with their illness. It is an excellent example of how people with can live a better quality of life and help decrease their dependence on health services.”
Consultation on the ‘Service Framework for Respiratory Health and Well-being’ begins today and closes on 22 April 2009.
Notes to Editors:
- Respiratory disease refers to a range of illnesses affecting both the upper and lower respiratory tract including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis.
- Service Frameworks aim to improve health and social care outcomes, reduce inequalities in health and social well-being and improve access and delivery. They set out the standards of care that patients, clients and carers can expect to receive from Health and Social Care.
- The Respiratory Framework is the second service framework to be developed.
- The Framework was developed in association with doctors, nurses and service users and voluntary organisations such as Asthma UK and NI Chest Heart and Stroke.
- The Framework is available to download from the DHSSPS Website
. - The consultation period begins today and ends 22 April 2009
- The Minister visited a community based pulmonary rehabilitation programme based in Ards Leisure Centre. The programme which has been devised by the South Eastern Trust in conjunction with Ards Borough Council has been running for four years and provides instruction in physical activity, education and psychological support for people suffering from bronchitis and emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). A physiotherapist and respiratory nurse deliver the programme and are supported by occupational therapists and dieticians, leisure centre staff and Citizens Advice.
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