PCRS views on the NHS Long Term Plan

The inclusion of respiratory disease as a priority disease area in the NHS Long Term Plan had been well overdue.

The respiratory content of the plan covers many issues which are priority areas for PCRS, including: proposals to improve diagnosis, provide better training for those who have been tasked to deliver evidence-based respiratory care, better uptake and availability of pulmonary rehabilitation, and to provide more appropriately resourced respiratory care in the place people want it when it no longer needs to happen inside hospital.

PCRS are pleased to know that Primary Care Networks will be involved as a keystone in integrating services outside hospitals, and therefore will be keen to support general practice within these organisations.

As set out in the Ottawa model mentioned in the LTP, PCRS stress that it is essential for patients being treated for tobacco dependency in the hospital to now have their care transferred to out of hospital services and be provided by Primary Care Networks. PCRS argues that it is the job of all healthcare professionals to diagnose and manage tobacco dependency, as highlighted within their recently published pragmatic guide to diagnosing and managing tobacco dependency.

Click the button below to read more about PCRS views on the Long Term Plan.