PATIENTS struggling with winter illnesses that affect their breathing are getting faster, specialised medical help from acute respiratory hubs in the North West that can help prevent them needing a hospital admission.

The region has 19 Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) hubs, which operate in a wide range of health service locations, from general practices and health centres to hospital urgent treatment centres.

As the latest data shows flu and covid cases in hospital are continuing to put pressure on NHS services, the hubs are working to help people get treatment to manage their symptoms early, preventing them from becoming more seriously unwell.

NHS England North West Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Paula Cowan, said: “In the North West, acute respiratory hubs are working to help and actively manage people with respiratory illnesses. This is a proactive way to meet the seasonal demand for respiratory care.

“We’re focussing on keeping people well at home where possible, so they do not need to go to hospital, and ensuring they get the care they need most.

“The idea is that by offering specialist treatment closer to home, the outcome for patients improves and the strain on hospitals also decreases at a time when our hospitals are seeing lots of people coming through the doors.”

Acute respiratory hubs are staffed by multidisciplinary teams that consist of GPs or advanced nurse practitioners and are usually well connected with respiratory teams in hospitals for immediate advice or could get help from local virtual wards like Hospital at Home or Crisis Response Teams.

Uplands Medical Centre runs a respiratory clinic in Bury, Greater Manchester, for people who are acutely unwell, registered with a Bury GP and present with respiratory symptoms that need a face-to-face assessment. People are usually referred by their GP practice, and sometimes via NHS111 or A&Es.

Medical Director of the Bury GP Federation, Dr Kiran Patel, said: “During the winter months we see a sharp rise in people with respiratory infections and this puts pressure on primary care services like general practice, as well as hospitals, so the respiratory clinics have been a fantastic additional resource, allowing patients to be assessed in the community and reducing the risk of people becoming more seriously unwell and needing to attend emergency departments.”

Clinical Lead for Respiratory Medicine in Greater Manchester, and local GP, Dr Murugesan Raja, has been integral to the successful implementation of ARI Hubs called MARIS (Manchester Acute Respiratory Infections Services) across General Practice in Manchester.

He said: “These have been running over the last few years. The service offers same day urgent face to face appointments for adults and children with a respiratory illness with or without a pre-existing chronic illness.

“The majority of the patients were treated within general practice with only a very small percentage requiring further treatment in hospital, therefore reducing the overall demand on the urgent care system at one of its most pressured times.”

In Cheshire and Merseyside, another initiative is helping children with respiratory problems and their families to get early help and prevent more serious illness.

The Warm Homes for Young Lungs scheme run by Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust uses population health data to proactively identify and support children aged two to seven with a respiratory condition.

The project launched in December 2023 and, having already helped 156 children at risk of developing breathing problems and worsening respiratory conditions, is due to be rolled out more widely in Cheshire and Merseyside

Data is used to identify patients who are likely to become ill or deteriorate if not helped at an early stage. They are then given help to better look after their own health, including changes to medication, inhaler technique advice and access to weekly clinics with a respiratory nurse specialist.

For people who do not need the support of an acute respiratory hub, there are many things you can do to help manage symptoms of winter viruses at home.

Dr Cowan said: “With winter viruses still circulating, it’s a good idea for people to stock their medicine cabinets with home remedies for coughs, colds, flu and upset stomachs – and seek health advice early if they become unwell to avoid becoming more seriously ill.”

“Winter is always a challenging time for the NHS, but together, we can make a difference. Please think carefully about where to go for help and leave A&E for those who really need it.

“While most minor illnesses can be managed at home, it is important to know when to seek help. When feeling worse it is important to get help sooner before it leads to serious illness.

“If you’re worried about your symptoms or those of a loved one, use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 for advice. In an emergency, always call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.”

NHS 111 is also available 24/7 and can guide you to the right service for your needs, including arranging out-of-hours GP appointments if necessary.

The NHS website provides an A-Z guide for managing most conditions at www.nhs.uk. For children’s symptoms, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Trust has developed an online symptom checker for children.