Colleagues share success stories and learning at Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network conference

The Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network (MRBN) Summer Conference brought together over 50 colleagues from primary care, local hospitals and the community who are involved in managing patients with long-term respiratory disease. 

The aim of the educational event was to improve the integration of the respiratory pathway across services and align with the vision of the MBRN. The event was funded by the MBRN, with refreshments sponsored by Glaxo, Smith, Kline (GSK) and Chiesi.

Karen Donaldson, Clinical Lead and Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT), said: "One of the key principles making the MBRN a success is integrated working to improve patient care. This is a principle carried through into our summer conference, which saw speakers and attendees representing general practice, community services and hospital care come together to focus on how we can all improve the diagnosis and management of chronic respiratory disease across Morecambe Bay. Thank you to all who were involved in making the day a great success."

Gary Wilson, Business Support Unit Assistant for Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network, said: "As a first-time co-organiser of a big conference it was fantastic to see such a great turnout and to meet so many amazing people."

Attendees enjoyed talks on a range of topics including spirometry interpretation, acute asthma admission and Interstitial Lung Disease(ILD). They also had the opportunity to join seminars with topics ranging from oxygen therapy and cardiac co-morbidity in lung disease where case studies were included to share successes and patient pathways.

Colleague feedback included: 

• “Great update and well presented.”
• “Good opportunity to ask questions.”
• “Very informative and helpful.”
• “Session gave me lots of ideas.”

Attendees were also able to visit information stands from different services including Quit Squad and the Covid Recovery Service (UHMBT were one of the first trusts in 2020 to establish a post-Covid service, which was achieved through the support of the MBRN leads and has evolved today into the Covid Recovery Service, which delivers therapies for those suffering from long Covid).

The MBRN was formed in 2017, following ‘respiratory care’ being identified as a priority in the NHS’ Long Term Plan. The Network has successfully brought together primary, secondary and community care providers who manage patients with respiratory disease with the aim of providing more effective and better care in the community, avoiding the need for some patients to attend hospital appointments.

MBRN has seven objectives that underpin all of the wider MBRN workstreams including the educational programmes. The objectives are to:

1. engage with projects that improve the respiratory health of Morecambe Bay's population 
2. improve the quality of diagnosis in asthma, bronchiectasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and ILD 
3. improve the quality and timeliness of annual review in these four diseases, for those with poorly controlled and deteriorating disease 
4. improve access to respiratory therapies 
5. improve quality and cost-effectiveness of prescribing
6. reduce non-elective admissions and ensure robust post exacerbation follow up
7. deliver respiratory care for the people of Morecambe Bay using a community-based Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) model. 

Feedback from patients who have been cared for as part of the new MBRN approach has included:

• “My initial reaction to this new approach is very positive and I hope if it can be maintained will help reduce my hospital visits. The support which I am receiving, in conjunction with the community matron service, is very encouraging and I just hope that this new or revised approach can be maintained in spite of the extreme pressure on the NHS.”

• “Through my appointments, I have clarity of my diagnosis and have had my treatment changed, which stopped my cough and improved breathlessness.”

You can find out more about MRBN here.