In June 2010, the community matrons of the NHS Central Lancashire started a pilot scheme distributing a remote patient care management device to patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); the device allows patients to manage and monitor their health conditions from home.

The device was developed by a technology company and is currently available in the United States (US) and in the United Kingdom (UK) through a medical technology provider. It allows patients to measure their vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse and weight and respond to questions about their diseases on a daily basis, with all data reviewed by the community matron team. It also includes a videoconferencing service, enabling a patient to talk with community matrons. This allows them to assess the patient for signs showing that their condition is worsening.

COPD is a serious and incapacitating condition which affects over 3.7 million people in the UK. It typically causes acute shortness of breath and susceptibility to lung infections. Early recognition and treatment of a change in symptoms is expected to reduce the need for hospital admissions. The device also helps patients to manage their own condition, look out for particular symptoms and take medication at the right time.

The pilot scheme started in Preston (a city in Lancashire, North West England) in June 2010 and will run with 40 patients for 12 months. It will be evaluated at regular intervals to assess how the device is helping improve patients' quality of life, their general satisfaction with the equipment and the opinion of carers. If successful, NHS Central Lancashire aims to expand the programme across central Lancashire to help patients with other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart failure.

Anne Walton, NHS Central Lancashire's community matron locality lead, said: "I am very excited to be leading on this project. My team and I have been working very hard to get this pilot up and running and we are getting lots of positive feedback from patients. This new technology allows patients to take a more active role in their own care and to learn more about their own condition. This will hopefully teach them how to spot signs of symptoms so they can act sooner to avoid being admitted to hospital."

She added: "If this pilot is deemed a success it will potentially open up a new way of working for community matrons and other services, helping to improve the existing quality service we provide to our patients."

Jackie Vella, the chair of Preston Breatheasy Group, said: "I personally think this new technology is fantastic and is a real step forward. I think it will be well received by patients. I know if I was offered it I would jump at the opportunity to be involved in this pioneering pilot."

Further information:

• Original News Article - NHS Central Lancashire