Consultant respiratory physician Tara Mackenzie on Monday helped to launch a new initiative to improve the care of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at Wagga Base Hospital.

COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which cause increasing shortness of breath and a repetitive cough.

“In winter it genuinely does seem to be the COPD patients who are more unwell and who have more exacerbations,” Associate Professor Mackenzie said.

“Then when it comes to springtime and the thunderstorms, that tends to be when asthma sufferers tend to be worse.”

Professor Mackenzie said the new program was aimed at helping people with COPD both in the hospital setting and at home.

The program includes improved co-ordination of the patient’s care, from their admission in hospital, to transfer of care and discharge planning, as well as supporting people to manage the condition at home.

“It’s a first for Wagga, and actually a first for NSW with this particular program,” Professor Mackenzie said.

“COPD is probably one of the most common respiratory diseases we see, both out of hospital as well as in hospital, and particularly in winter it is one of the most common admissions with an exacerbation of COPD.”

Professor Mackenzie said the program had the potential to save lives and to “change lives for the better”.

"Most of my patients would tell you that their quality of life and their breathlessness is the most important thing," she said.

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