COPD in primary care: a time of opportunity.

摘要

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has come to the fore at last In this new millenium in the thinking of health services and clinicians. But its late recognition is badly timed as the world struggles with the aftermath of a recession that will challenge all healthcare spending. In the UK the government's Consultation on a Strategy for Services for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in England has recently been completed after a prolonged gestation of 5 years. The consultation document is 177 pages and makes 24 recommendations. Since its publication, the political guard has changed at the UK Department of Health and a new government has to decide how to proceed in a time of austerity. Will there be new funding to address the recommendations in the COPD strategy document? The recommendations come with 35 actions, most of which will require the investment of funding and will be subject to its availability.