* 900,000 people have a diagnosis of COPD, with half as many again living with COPD without a diagnosis.31
* There are 109,000 COPD admissions, contributing to one million bed days costing the NHS £600 million, with a total cost to the NHS of about £1 billion.
* COPD causes 24 million lost working days per year.
COPD patients who undertake more walking halve their risk of being admitted as an emergency admission.32 NICE guidance requires that all COPD patients who can walk attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). Patients in PR are recommended to walk regularly but there are only isolated schemes that link with organised walking groups. Regular exercise in groups reduces breathlessness and anxiety and increases confidence and independence.
* There are 109,000 COPD admissions, contributing to one million bed days costing the NHS £600 million, with a total cost to the NHS of about £1 billion.
* COPD causes 24 million lost working days per year.
COPD patients who undertake more walking halve their risk of being admitted as an emergency admission.32 NICE guidance requires that all COPD patients who can walk attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). Patients in PR are recommended to walk regularly but there are only isolated schemes that link with organised walking groups. Regular exercise in groups reduces breathlessness and anxiety and increases confidence and independence.