The impact of COVID-19 on lung health care for my patients

Tell us more about the backlog and how this has impacted your patients.

Over the last couple of years, we have seen a backlog develop through the pandemic, this is partly because of staff absences and staff being transferred to other roles (to care for patients with COVID-19 and help roll out the vaccination programme, for example).

There has been a lot in the news about people waiting for operations, but there are also large groups of people with lung symptoms and long-term lung conditions who haven’t had the care that they need. This includes people:

• waiting for breathing and lung function tests to help them get an initial diagnosis

• waiting for tests to diagnose and monitor asthma, like FeNO

• who have been unable to access pulmonary rehabilitation

• who are waiting to see a specialist

In some cases, people will have been told that they might have a condition, or that a scan shows evidence of a lung condition such as bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis. But they have been in limbo waiting to have it confirmed by a specialist, or to find out if more tests are needed, or what a diagnosis means for them.

How do your patients feel about the situation?

Certainly, in my GP clinic I speak to people in these, and similar, positions. What I find is that people are most distressed by the uncertainty around their diagnosis and care and how helpless they feel.

I talk to my patients about the uncertainties they’re facing and what some of the outcomes might mean for them. And if I think there is some urgency, I will write to the specialist.

Where do you encourage people to look for more health information and advice?

I encourage my patients who are in limbo to avoid health forums or “Doctor Google” as these can sometimes cause more alarm or provide the wrong information at the wrong time. I signpost them to the Asthma + Lung UK website for free, expert health advice on a wide range of lung conditions.

I also recommend speaking to the amazing, expert nurses and healthcare advisors on the Asthma + Lung UK Helpline on 0300 222 5800, who have a wealth of information at their fingertips and are on hand to answer any question people have, or just to listen.

What can people with lung conditions do to look after their health and wellbeing?

This is a useful time for people to focus on what they can do for their own health and wellbeing. I reassure them that there is a lot you can do to look after your health, including:

• Being active and doing physical activity. This is good, not just for their breathing – it can boost your mental health, give you more energy and help you sleep better. The Asthma + Lung UK webpages on keeping active with a lung condition can help anyone looking to be more active.

• Eating well is also important if you’re living with a lung condition. A balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can help control your symptoms and prevent infections, which keeps your lungs healthy.

• If you smoke and have a lung condition, quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and quality of life. Stopping smoking is important at any time – it can help you cope with your symptoms and stop your lung condition getting worse.

• While you are waiting for tests or appointments, use the extra time to prepare and understand what to expect. Asthma + Lung UK have some useful hints and tips on what you can do to prepare for a breathing or lung function test, if you have one booked in. You can also find advice on preparing for a specialist asthma care appointment and preparing for a follow-up appointment if you have Long COVID.

• My final bit of advice is to keep in touch – let your GP or practice team know if there’s something particular that is bothering or worrying you. And definitely let them know if you get new symptoms or your current symptoms are getting worse.

At Asthma + Lung UK, we want no one left fighting for breath without knowing what’s happening to them. Read our report to find out what we’re fighting for.