To coincide with this week’s national #AskAboutAsthma campaign (11 - 17 September), we are keen to shine a spotlight on the BBP Hounslow Respiratory Programme. One of their aims is to improve the diagnosis of asthma and COPD, with a strong focus on raising awareness about self-management through patient and public engagement.
This aim could not be delivered without the support of the Hounslow Borough Respiratory Support Group (HBRSG), who received funding from the community engagement budget to engage multiple patients, impacted by either COPD or asthma through their ‘lived experience’ sessions.
These incredible sessions are led by patients who are living with a long-term respiratory condition and are delivered across the borough.
They are designed to support community engagement. Where patients living with COPD, or asthma can meet in person to share their patient experience or their personal journey about living with a long-term condition. They aim to help more patients embrace better self-management through peer support; help to reduce feelings of isolation and to combat loneliness for many attendees.
Plus, the sessions help to identify any gaps in care pathways, which is then fed back to the service delivery team. All attendees are invited to join Hounslow Borough Respiratory Support group, where they can get involved in a wide range of group sessions, exercise classes or social events.
Patients are invited to join a session through the GP system, patient co-ordinators or Social Prescribers.
Roger Smith, Chair of the HBRSG, said:
“I have seen first-hand how attendees are benefitting from these sessions. They are building comradery with their peers who are in a similar position to themselves. This is helping to increase their confidence and build their resilience when trying to cope with day-to-day activities.”
Outcomes
The HBRSG launched the Lived Experience sessions in 2022 and delivered 22 sessions across the borough. As a result of these sessions, HBRSG memberships grew by 110% within the year, with over a third of attendees signing up.
To help evaluate patient outcomes, members who recently joined the support group are being invited to take part in a survey feedback session after nine months, to help identify if their understanding of self-management has improved.
During 2023, 15 sessions are being delivered across the Primary Care Network.