COPD Patients Improving Their Health With An App

Patients in the North West of England suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have been offered the use of a support and education app to help them manage their condition by themselves. 750 sufferers around the Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton areas will be offered use of the app free of charge by a range of practitioners including GPs, community matrons and the Help to Quit Smoking team.

The app, called MyCOPD is designed to educate and empower sufferers to take more control over their own care; helping to bring improvements in inhaler use and compliance with other treatments. The roll-out of MyCOPD is part of Health Innovation Manchester’s wider COPD programme, which sees the organisation working with health and industry partners to improve the care and treatment of people with COPD through the most innovative and effective healthcare approaches.

The clinical lead on the project is Dr Steve Doyle who is a local GP in the area, and according to him: “These apps are an innovative way for patients and clinicians to manage a chronic disease in partnership. The app allows the patient to formulate and follow a self-management plan and update an inhaler diary. It will offer advice on appropriate exercise programmes, and include online education tutorials such as inhaler videos, weather and pollution forecasts, and symptom reporting. We are delighted that we are able to participate in this exciting Greater Manchester programme for the benefit of patients here in Rochdale.”

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also abbreviated to COPD, is the name for a group of conditions which affect the lungs and cause difficulty in breathing. The two most common forms of COPD are Bronchitis; where the airways become inflamed and narrowed, and Emphysema which affects the air sacs within the lungs, causing them to become larger and significantly reducing their ability to absorb oxygen. In a lot of cases COPD occurs as a result of smoking, but a large number of non-smokers develop the condition as a result of inhaling fumes and dust particles during their working lives. In these situations the disease can be diagnosed as a workplace illness and as a result, those who suffer from it due to their employment have the right to make a claim for compensation.

If you or someone you care for suffers with COPD or any other lung condition that has come about as a result of their work, you should contact our team of experienced solicitors today and let us see how we can help you get the compensation pay-out that you and your family deserve.