Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG has commissioned an innovative new means of self-care aimed at helping local people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
My COPD is the only clinically approved NHS app and is a registered class one medical device. It helps users to manage breathing difficulties caused by COPD by offering useful advice including inhaler technique videos, education from experts and a complete online pulmonary rehabilitation class.
The app is now freely accessible through local NHS services and there are 3,300 licenses that Respiratory Clinical staff should be offering to any appropriate patients with access to an internet connected device.
Southmead resident Julie Holmes, who discovered the app from community nurses during a pulmonary rehabilitation group, has been using MyCOPD for several months and has seen a dramatic improvement in how she manages her condition.
“Before using the app I was really struggling to manage my condition, now I use it daily. It has helped me to monitor my medication and I watch videos when requiring help with chest clearance and exercises.”
In cases of COPD, self-management plays a crucial role in staying as healthy as possible.
Corinne Robinson, Respiratory Team Lead at Sirona said “After a patient is diagnosed with COPD, they are usually provided with an information leaflet. Many patients often then use the internet to find further information, which may contain conflicting or inaccurate advice.
“By giving people the MyCOPD app we can ensure they get accurate and helpful information, particularly on how to use their inhalers. Having access to good quality advice can help people manage their condition and keep themselves well.”
The free MyCOPD app is the only clinically approved NHS app and is being offered to local patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a long-term lung condition that affects breathing.
The app is being made available to patients through funding by NHS England and is the first time something of its kind has been trialled in the area.
It can be downloaded onto any internet connected smart device using a licence code provided by specialist doctors and nurses at hospitals and community services when treating people with the condition.
