Breathing Innovation into Wales: Community diagnostic centre offers over 1,100 appointments to communities
Over 1,100 appointments have been offered to people across Wales via the Respiratory Innovation Wales mobile respiratory unit - with an incredible 78% uptake to date.
Jo Quarterman
Published 11 October 2022
Clinical capacity
Led by Respiratory Innovation Wales (RIW), this pioneering project is delivering decentralised healthcare services with the aim of offering reducing footfall within acute hospital sites and tackling the backlogs created by COVID-19 restrictions on the use of aerosol generating procedures.
The project runs with the support of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Life Sciences Hub Wales. Wales has the highest prevalence of asthma in Europe.
One in 12 people in Wales have a respiratory condition and respiratory disease is the country's leading cause of ill health (36%). The use of a Liberty unit is helping to reach hard-to-reach populations and offer an increase in convenience for patients who didn't attend previous appointments due fear of COVID-19 transmission or travelling long distances.
Dr Philip Webb, Chief Executive of Respiratory Innovation Wales, said: "We are seeing 3 to 4 times more patients than a Health Board would in a hospital setting, because of the community location.
"A critical component of this is choosing the right partner to do decentralised mobile care and EMS have provided excellent expertise in the planning process."
From a leisure centre in Bridgend, to a supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock, the mobile respiratory unit is helping cut waiting times and improve access to treatment for respiratory services that were impacted by COVID-19.