Breathing Problems
Information on 'shielding' letters and medical notes
We are facing many inquiries from patients regarding them receiving a shielding letter or asking for a medical note if they are socially distancing for their employer during the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak.
With regards to shielding patients these are mainly being contacted centrally from NHS England or by secondary care.
Social distancing guidelines related to health conditions are clearly outlined on the gov.uk website. We do not provide sick notes or letters for this as this needs to be discussed between yourself and your employer to work with you to find the safest option for you.
Sick notes for isolation for 2 weeks if you or the household have Covid-19 symptoms are available from 111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Information from Acas: www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Support is available for those shielding or socially isolating who need help with prescriptions and shopping etc:
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub/
How can you get assistance with foods and medicines if you are shielding?
Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services. If this is not possible, then the public sector, business, charities and the general public are gearing up to help those advised to stay at home. Please discuss your daily needs during this period of staying at home with carers, family, friends, neighbours or local community groups to see how they can support you.
Please visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerableto register for the support that you need. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care you might need.
The government is helping pharmacies to deliver prescriptions. Prescriptions will continue to cover the same length of time as usual. If you do not currently have your prescriptions collected or delivered, you can arrange this by:
1. Asking someone who can pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy (this is the best option, if possible).
2. Contacting your pharmacy to ask them to help you find a volunteer (who will have been ID checked) or deliver it to you.
You may also need to arrange for collection or delivery of hospital specialist medication that is prescribed to you by your hospital care team.
If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected. The advice for formal carers is included in the home care provision.
Age UK Gloucestershire has had to reconfigure the way it delivers support to Gloucestershire’s older people. It is currently providing support in three ways (further information at: www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire):
- Supporting Older People to resolve specific issues:
The Help Team is available Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 16:00 to help older people resolve specific problems. The team has up to date information about local resources and support. The Out of Hospital Team continues to support older people recently discharged from hospital who need guidance to stay well at home through in depth welfare calls. - Supporting Older People to stay connected:
Recognising that social isolation and the associated wellbeing issues are a real and serious issue for older people, new Freephone telephone number for people who are alone and who want to have a friendly conversation with a staff member or volunteer has been set up. Call 0800 2980579, Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 16:00. - Support for Communities who want to help:
- Signposting individuals to existing local groups, and central hub resources
- Support and advice for local community groups to support older people safely and effectively
British Lung Foundation - Coronavirus Support
Here you’ll find all our information about coronavirus and useful links for the latest updates. The new type of coronavirus which causes an illness called COVID-19 is now spreading in countries across the world including the UK.
Tel: 03000 030 555
Website: www.blf.org.uk
Asthma UK Helpline
Questions about your medicines? Worried about your child’s asthma symptoms? Want to reduce your risk of an asthma attack?
Telephone: 0300 222 5800
Website: www.asthma.org.uk
Asthma UK Resources
Our award-winning resources have been created using the most trusted evidence and evaluated by healthcare professionals and people with asthma.
Website: www.asthma.org.uk
Breathing Problems Video Library - COPD
Gloucestershire Self Management - Live Better to Feel Better
Self-management is about finding ways, and learning techniques, which enable you to control your long-term health condition, rather than having it control you.
The Live Better to Feel Better course has been designed with you in mind, to provide you with these techniques as well as the confidence and awareness to use them appropriately.
Telephone: 0300 421 1623
Website: www.ghc.nhs.uk
Complete the Cycle Scheme
Complete the Cycle is the first national recycling and recovery scheme for respiratory inhalers. We want to reduce waste and greenhouse gases by moving towards a more environmentally sustainable treatment of respiratory disease.
For more information, please read our leaflet.
Bronchiectasis
Information about bronchiectasis, its causes, diagnosis and how to live with a lung condition.
Malnutrition Pathway
Managing Adult Malnutrition, including a pathway for the appropriate use of
oral nutritional supplements (ONS).
Website: www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk
Please view: Eating well for your Lungs
Please view: Your guide to making the most of your food
Please view: Nutrition support in COPD
Keeping Active with a Lung Condition
If you have a lung condition, being active can help to improve your quality of life and help you manage your condition.
Website: www.blf.org.uk
Mind Song
Breathe in Sing out is all about taking an active part in managing your breathing. The aim is to improve the physical, emotional and social effects of COPD on your everyday life, and to introduce an enjoyable way of self-managing your lung condition.
Each group is run by an experienced leader with a good understanding of COPD and respiratory conditions.
Breathing Pattern Disorders
Website: www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk
Asthma Triggers - Coronavirus
Health advice for people with asthma from asthma.org.uk
Website: www.asthma.org.uk
Do you have a Respiratory Illness?
Getting ready for winter means looking after your lungs, please see this information leaflet for help and advice this winter:
Breathing Problems Video Library - Asthma
Breathing Problems Video Library
How to Measure Your Oxygen Saturation At Home
Asthma
Asthma is a common condition that affects the airways with typical symptoms being wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Treatment usually works well to ease and prevent symptoms.
If you have been advised by the surgery to submit an annual review of your asthma symptoms please use this form. If your symptoms are deteriorating or you are having any concerns please make an appointment with our Nurse.
British Lung Foundation
British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity looking after the nation’s lungs and has been researching lung conditions for 30 years. Its aim is to improve care – and to prevent, treat and cure lung diseases.
Website: www.blf.org.uk
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a long-term condition of the lungs where the flow of air to the lungs is restricted (obstructed). The condition is most often caused by smoking and stopping smoking is always advised as the best treatment.
Flu Vaccinations and Long Term Respiratory Conditions
This leaflet is for patients with long term respiratory (breathing) conditions and explains the importance of having an annual flu vaccine to protect you from getting the flu virus:
How to use your inhaler
Improve your inhaler technique in three minutes. Watch these short videos to learn how to use your inhaler properly and better manage your respiratory symptoms.
Website: www.asthma.org.uk
Spirometry (Lung Function) Patient Information
We hope that this leaflet provides the information you need about your forthcoming breathing test (spirometry). If you can, please complete the questionnaire and bring to your appointment.