NEW support is being made available to thousands of people across the district who have long-term respiratory conditions.

Following a successful trial, a special app is being launched which will help patients manage their symptoms.

Around 6,000 people in Bradford district and Craven with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are set to benefit.

More than £400,000 is being invested in the scheme over the next two years by NHS England.

Through the app – whose launch follows a trial involving 50 people recovering from Covid-19 – people with moderate to severe respiratory conditions will be supported 24 hours a day by the MyCare24 remote monitoring service, led by the digital care hub at Airedale Hospital.

Patients unable to use a smartphone will have access to a paper-based version of the app.

Dr Katherine Hickman, a GP and the respiratory lead for NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The funding is fantastic news as it gives us the opportunity to scale-up the use of remote monitoring and supported self-management for people with COPD.

“The so-called Luscii app offers self-care materials and videos as well as ‘Know Your Normal’, a simple tool which helps people recognise the early signs of an exacerbation and guidance on what to do.

“For patients not using the app, the information pack will be provided in paper format at the point of referral.”

Karen Dawber, senior responsible owner for the district’s Act as One respiratory programme, said: “Throughout the pilot we were able to demonstrate how our health and care partnership allows us to work together to implement effective solutions that improve people’s lives and bring benefits to the wider health and care system.

“The funding is an acknowledgement of the work we have done to implement a person-centred solution that is delivering health care co-designed by clinicians, our voluntary sector and patients.”

Dr Claire Lawless, consultant in respiratory medicine at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said the trial had demonstrated how people with COPD could be successfully supported to manage their condition at home.