Patients in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from improved lung disease care thanks to new investment by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS).
The charity today announced a major partnership with the NHS in a bid to reduce their pressures on respiratory departments.
It will fund new roles to work with the NHS to better look after people at home through its Hospital to Home services.
That sees £50,000 allocated to fund a Respiratory Pathway Development Lead in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who will advocate for respiratory services and ensure smooth coordination between NHS and other partner services including CHSS.
The role will see fixed term funding of the new post and will allow focused development of these pathways.
This will provide patients with acute exacerbations of chronic lung conditions a seamless, safe and holistic service, limiting hospital stay and maximising rehabilitation and recovery.
The funding sees a total of £300,000 allocated to a number of health boards across country to help alleviate NHS pressures and provide better lung disease care.
CHSS says the funding provided will help give people living with lung disease the tools to manage their conditions and keep well at home, helping to prevent readmissions to hospital.
It will also improve community care for people living with chest conditions in the selected areas and better integrate third sector support with NHS services to help alleviate pressures.
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “Respiratory services have been seriously impacted by the pandemic and are under extreme pressure.
"We’re delighted to deepen our partnerships with some of the biggest health boards in the country to improve care and reduce pressures on our NHS.
“By investing in improving links to community care and further integrating our Hospital to Home service into these respiratory departments, we can provide the care and support that people need at home and in their communities.
“We can make sure people living with chronic chest conditions have the tools and support to manage their condition and live well at home.
"In turn this will help to prevent people returning to hospital and alleviate some of the pressures that our respiratory departments are facing.”
Welcoming the news, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP, added: “I commend and thank Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland for the vital work they are doing across Scotland to support people living with lung disease and respiratory conditions.
"Their work in supporting people to get back home from hospital and live well is so important, while also reducing some of the pressure on NHS services.
"That is why I welcome this collaboration and investment, and the opportunities a partnership between NHS boards and CHSS offers.”
Dr David Anderson, Consultant Respiratory Physician, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, also welcomed the news, saying: “In Greater Glasgow and Clyde, we want to develop services which provide safe support for patients who experience flare ups of their conditions in their homes.
“The funding from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland will enable us to appoint a clinician to the role of Respiratory Pathway Development Lead who will advocate for respiratory services and ensure smooth coordination between existing care pathways.
“Ultimately, we hope that acute exacerbations of chronic lung conditions are offered a seamless, safe and holistic service, limiting hospital stay and maximising rehabilitation and recovery.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
