To access this service telephone 0161 204 4770. 

Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.

The COPD team provide care for patients and families affected by COPD in clinics and in the home setting. They offer advice on how to manage COPD and support to help patients cope with their condition. 

Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed, you can slow down the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking is particularly effective at doing this. Treatments for COPD usually involve relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make breathing easier. Surgery is only an option for a small number of people with COPD.

Read more about treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The team provide early supported discharge for selected patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD and they also provide ongoing care for those with more complex needs. The team also run a community based clinic for GP’s to refer into and run a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. There is support for Practice Nurses who perform spirometry.

People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.

Typical symptoms of COPD include:

• increasing breathlessness when active
• a persistent cough with phlegm
• frequent chest infections

Read more about the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so treatment can be used to try to slow down the deterioration of your lungs. You should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.

COPD is usually diagnosed after a consultation with your doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests.

Read more about diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.