In this section
Our specialist COPD service offers treatment and support to help patients to manage their conditions and ease their often distressing symptoms.
COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK. People with COPD develop breathlessness, mainly due to the narrowing of their airways. Typical symptoms of COPD include:
- Increasing breathlessness during activity
- A persistent cough with phlegm
- Frequent chest infections
COPD is mainly caused by smoking, which irritates and inflames the lungs, causing long term damage. Other causes of COPD include exposure to fumes and dust in the workplace, air pollution and genetic disorders.
Our services
We run a specialist COPD clinic offering diagnosis and management of COPD and providing an expert second opinion where needed. The service is Clinically led by Dr Richard Barraclough, with Professors Dave Singh and Professor Jorgen Vestbo leading on Research. We have a twice monthly Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting, involving a range of health professionals, to identify patients suitable for the new minimally invasive techniques of lung volume reduction such as endobronchial valves.
Our team of allied health professionals runs a chronic disease management service providing extra support to COPD patients in the community, especially at times of worsening of their conditions, reducing the need for hospital admissions. We are working to achieve a seamless service and common standard of care across the city, providing access to rehabilitation and discharge support.
Community Respiratory team
The Community Respiratory Team is a team of nurses and physiotherapists that are specialist in COPD. They work across the hospital and community and provide support and education for patients with respiratory conditions. They run pulmonary rehabilitation classes, outpatient clinics, and provide home visits for patients across South Manchester. For more information, please click here.
Tests and treatment
It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so treatment can be used to try to slow down lung deterioration. COPD is usually diagnosed after a consultation with a GP, which may be followed by breathing tests.
The most important treatment for COPD is stopping smoking. Drug treatments for COPD usually involve relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make breathing easier. Pulmonary rehabilitation may also help increase the amount of exercise you are capable of doing. Surgery may be an option for a small number of people with COPD.
Simple steps such as living in a healthy way, being as active as possible, learning breathing techniques, and taking your medication, all help to reduce the symptoms of COPD.
Research
We have a wide range of research projects ongoing, including the evaluation of new COPD treatments, and studying the reasons why COPD get can worse over time. There are opportunities for you to get involved with these projects.
You can learn about our leading research work, how this benefits patients, and how you can get involved, by visiting our research facility pages.
Referrals
You can be referred to our service by your GP, who will usually carry out some initial tests to see if you have COPD.
Contact
Phone
Secretaries: 0161 291 2832
Community Respiratory Team. : All patients have a contact number to call upon if they develop any non-emergency problems regarding their chest condition: 0161 998 7070 during service hours.
Location
The COPD service is based at the North West Lung Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital and is located in the Yellow Zone, Entrance 4, off Southmoor Road.