Community choirs, asthma training in schools and working with local sports clubs are among the innovative approaches to support people living with respiratory conditions in Gloucestershire.

Now the team behind the projects has been shortlisted for a leading industry award, to recognise the success of joint working between the NHS and community partners.

One Gloucestershire ICS’s Respiratory Clinical Programme Group (CPG) are one of the finalists in the Integrated Care Initiative category of the 2024 Health Service Journal Awards.

Made up of consultants, GPs, nurses, physios and a range of supporting colleagues, as well as patients with lived experience, the team is focussed on supporting those with respiratory conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) and asthma to manage their health, reducing the number of smokers in the county and helping to prevent urgent admissions to the county’s main hospitals.

Dr Graham Mennie, GP and clincal lead for respiratory said:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted and recognised for integrated care, working together with colleagues from across health, social care, education and further afield has been key to our successes. We have been working to share expertise across the health and care system for more than a decade. We know there are a lot of people in Gloucestershire living with respiratory conditions, but our approach shows that prevention and really understanding their needs can make a huge difference.

Helping people manage respiratory conditions at home, join in with sport and take simple steps to improve their health by moving more and stopping smoking can make a real impact. We look at our population and their needs and target our resources accordingly to make sure patients receive high quality and equitable support and care.”

With more than 60,000 people in Gloucestershire known to be living with COPD or asthma, the team works closely with colleagues across health and care, as well as with other voluntary, community and charitable organisations.

One key area of focus has been children and young people with asthma and training their families and carers to support them

Special sessions have been held in collaboration with the Gloucestershire Football Association, Rugby Football Union and the Girl Guides to offer training to coaches and helpers in line with the national Asthma Friendly Schools scheme. This is set to be rolled out further in the new school year.

Carol Stonham, Senior Nurse Practioner and lead for the Children and Young People’s Asthma work at NHS Gloucestershire, said:

“Our work with sports organisations and youth groups is something we are really proud of. Asthma doesn’t need to be a barrier to sport and activities and by working with coaches and play leaders we can help communities support people with asthma who want to join in.”

The group’s other focus is on making sure Gloucestershire’s NHS workforce has the training and tools needed to support patients, this includes regular courses for staff on new treatments and technology and attended conferences and events to enhance learning.

Carol added:

“Working together as a health and care family has been the foundation of our approach so improving training and providing our team with the tools they need to support their patients is really important. As treatments and tools change and develop we need to be up to date and our focus on workforce support allows us to keep leading the way.”

The team will now go forward for the final judging ahead of the HSJ awards ceremony in London.