About the project

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admission and discharge care bundles with the aim of improving care, helping patients manage their condition at home, and reducing readmissions.

One in eight (130,000) emergency admissions to hospital is for COPD, making it the second largest cause of emergency admission in the UK, and one of the most costly inpatient conditions treated by the NHS. Evidence suggests that providing a package of measures at discharge – a ‘care bundle’ – can help them cope better once home and potentially prevent further readmission.

The care bundle includes five key elements:

1. Assessment of inhaler technique
2. Provision of a written patient self-management action plan and (where appropriate) an emergency drug pack
3. The offer of referral to support to stop smoking
4. Access to a treatment programme that can help people with a lung condition stay active (pulmonary rehabilitation)
5. Appropriate follow up arrangements

Project ambitions

The key national programme ambition is to support an increase in the proportion of patients in acute hospitals receiving every element, for which they are eligible, of the BTS COPD Discharge Care Bundle to 80% by March 2022.

Find out more

Get in touch with a member of the project team below to find out how you can get involved.