A team has been set up by Basildon Primary Care Trust to help keep people with a severe chest condition out of hospital.

The new service brings together nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to support and treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in their own homes.

Patients with the disease, which is one of the most common respiratory conditions in adults, will be lent equipment under the care of their own GP.

Rose Albon, community matron responsible for the new service, said: "The aim of the team is to get to patients early and support and treat them in their own homes so preventing hospital admissions."

Patients with COPD can contact the service on 01268 593373.

Published Thursday April 8, 2004

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