Respiratory conditions including Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Respiratory disease affects one in five people, and we see an increase in admissions to hospital and visits to health care professionals during the winter months.

We want to enable early and accurate diagnosis of respiratory diseases and also support appropriate prescribing of medicines. Most of all, we want to support people to manage conditions and where possible put preventative practices in place. This extends to equipping people with the right advice and support to stop smoking.

People with lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, may be at higher risk for serious illness from certain vaccine-preventable diseases.

For your best protection, it's important to stay up to date with your vaccinations.

If you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections and developing more severe symptoms. There is help and advice to help you quit.

Helpful links