It has certainly been a busy few months for Dragon Respiratory, with lots of new content creation for upcoming courses, a visit to the Senedd to listen to the ‘Explore or Ignore’ COPD proposal from Chiesi, and chairing the respiratory event ‘Beyond the Lungs’, with my all-time respiratory idol – Tracy Kirk.
Since starting the academy 3 months ago, I have come to realise that, when you have an idea of how something is going to turn out, it rarely ends up that way. It has certainly been a steep learning curve for the academy, with lots of twists and turns along the way! I have been delivering respiratory education for over 15 years, but I have never been asked to get involved with those who work in care homes and the community. Carers in the community make up a significant number of the healthcare workforce, supporting and looking after patients in their own homes and care establishments. It makes perfect sense that they should be provided with the basic education around respiratory disease, inhalers, spacers and nebulisers, as it is they who so often see these individuals in their own environment. Dragon Respiratory is committed to improving the lives of patients with lung conditions, and this includes educating all of those who are involved in the management and support of these individuals. I am very excited to create the content for this new and upcoming course for carers. I very much hope that it equips them with the knowledge and skill to contribute to the care that these patients deserve.
I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine but please remember; for those living with a respiratory condition, hot weather can really exacerbate symptoms. Be sure to give your patients the correct advice regarding hot weather, air pollution and increasing pollen levels. You can access the ALUK guidance on this or direct your patients to it.