New service for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in north Lambeth

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has worked with local GP practices to expand support for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in north Lambeth, bringing care closer to home.

The COPD Proactive Care service, launched by the North Lambeth Primary Care Network in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’, is designed to help identify problems patients may have managing their condition earlier, provide support at home, and reduce the risk of flare ups and unplanned hospital visits.

Patients identified by their clinical team as likely to benefit from extra support will be contacted by their GP surgery. They will get regular check-ins and symptom reviews, remote monitoring to help track key health measures at home and personalised advice and guidance from their clinical team.

The GP surgeries offering these services are:

• Hurley Clinic and Riverside Medical Centre
• Lambeth Walk Group Practice
• Mawbey Group Practice
• South Lambeth Road Group Practice
• Waterloo Health Centre
• Vauxhall Surgery

This free service, that supports up to 150 patients at a time, is provided in partnership with Doccla, a remote monitoring technology company who support NHS services.

Dr Shaheen Khan, Deputy Medical Director, Integrated and Specialist Medicine, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust added: “This new model of care reflects an ambition to shift more specialist support into neighbourhood and community settings, enabling people to stay well for longer and maintain their independence.

“We’re excited by the opportunity to work in partnership to support the care of people in their own homes. By using a combination of senior clinical expertise and technology we can do even more to support our local population.”

Eligible patients will be contacted by their GP either by letter, SMS, or phone call and invited to join the service.

For more information please visit: www.doccla.com/proactive or contact the Doccla service team on 0808 175 0832 (select option 4) or email [email protected]

Patients who receive care from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Respiratory Medicine Team can still contact their clinical team for support through the COPD helpline. More information at: Respiratory medicine - Overview | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust