Originally presented at the PCRS Respiratory Conference 2020 Dr Steve Holmes presents this Bite-size Journal Update

As we prepare to enter another wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections whilst we continue to deal with the backlog of patients who have had their treatments and assessments delayed by the pandemic, what is challenging the NHS even more are the long-term effects following SARS-CoV-2 infection – so call

This pragmatic guide has been developed based on the work of the PCRS Greener Healthcare Working Group.

PCRS have issued a position statement on strategies to care for patients with respiratory disease and frailty in the community setting. Frailty is thought to affect around 10% of those aged over 65 years and up to half of those aged over 85 years.

Air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK every year and both cause and worsen lung disease.

As of April 2021, regional health and care needs in England will be coordinated through Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) (https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/).

Spirometry, a test used to measure and monitor lung function, is an important component of the diagnosis, management and monitoring of respiratory conditions in primary care.

Peak flow charting and microspirometry are undervalued in guidelines and were underused in primary care even before the COVID pandemic, but have enhanced importance now given the difficulties with access to more formal respiratory function testing.

Noel Baxter PCRS Policy Lead and Tracey Lonergan PCRS Policy Coordinator.

Clare Cook Physiotherapist, Clinical Lead of a community respiratory team in Bristol, member of PCRS Executive Committee and Chair of the PCRS Respiratory Leadership Group in conversation with Dr Elaine Bevan-Smith Associate COPD Specialist South West of England Academic Health Science Network an

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been included as a key intervention in the NHS Long Term Plan. However the PR audit1 showed that only 62% of people referred go on to complete the course.

An estimated 1.2 million people are living with COPD in the UK1 and research suggests that this number is growing (BLF 2020).

In this summary document Dr Noel Baxter describes tobacco dependency as a long term relapsing condition that usually starts in childhood.  In the document he outlines simple steps you can take to support patients to quit including Very Brief Advce (VBA) and he outlines the treatments availab

What you need to know about flu vaccination In this article, originally writen by Gail Miles, published in 2018 and updated in 2020 by Ren Lawlor, we discuss the benefits of influenza vaccination, why we need to undertake this every year, who is eligible, which vaccines to use and dispe