Specialist care for every patient: Respiratory care

Jul 8 2008 by The Journal

RESPIRATORY disease is a major health problem and is on the rise in the UK. It is the second biggest killer in the country, with one in five people dying from the disease. One person in every seven in the UK is affected by lung disease – approximately eight million people. Although a major factor, lung disease is not simply smoking-related and other factors such as genetics, nutrition, social deprivation and air pollution all affect lung health.

In South Tyneside the respiratory team look after patients with a wide variety of respiratory conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, tuberculosis and restrictive lung diseases. They also provide services for lung cancer as well as pneumonia and for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as emphysema, asthma and bronchitis.

Many cases are the result of occupational exposure to materials – a grim legacy left by the region’s industrial heritage.

With a commitment to providing the most efficient and effective system of care, the team offer waiting times of less than two weeks for new patients.

Looking ahead the team plan to set up a ‘one-stop shop’ for lung cancer referrals. Simply put, the hospital would be able to offer patients clinic consultation, a bronchoscopy and a CT scan in one day, streamlining the assessment process and reducing the anxiety patients can suffer during in the lead up to diagnosis and treatment. This will be a fantastic development much appreciated by patients and staff alike.