Gloucestershire patients to get weather forecasts

For emphysema sufferer Ann Watson, a simple shopping trip requires meticulous planning.

The pensioner needs to check weather conditions and plan places to stop before even setting out.

But now the 75-year-old from Chalford will get a helping hand – thanks to a new automated messaging system from the Met Office.

The Healthy Outlook service sends automated messages to patients with respiratory issues if forecasters predict the weather will exacerbate their problems.

People who opt to take part in the service will get a recorded voice call by telephone when poor environmental conditions are forecast.

The call will explain the weather conditions forecasters are expecting and refer patients to a pack with advice and information about how to keep well.

The message will also ask about patients' medication and symptoms, which they can answer with a yes or no using the telephone keypad. This information will then be passed to their doctor.

Mrs Watson has a genetic condition - Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency – which means she suffers with emphysema, a chronic progressive lung disease. She has just 30 per cent of her lung capacity.

Her husband, Murray Watson, who is chairman of the Gloucester and Cotswold branch of Breathe Easy, said: "I think it would be incredibly helpful and I am fully behind the idea. My wife has a genetic form of emphysema and so this could be something that could help her, If she was notified about the climate, say if it was really humid, she would know to stay at home."

Healthy Outlook is specially designed to help people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases, including bronchitis and emphysema, and is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK.

Met Office clinical director Dr Tish Laing-Morton said: "A useful patient pack full of valuable information on how to manage their COPD is also sent out. Patients who already use Healthy Outlook have overwhelmingly supported the initiative."

Gloucestershire has more than 8,000 people living with this illness and winter brings with an increased risk to patients.

A spokeswoman from NHS Gloucestershire said: "Changes in the weather can affect people who have respiratory conditions so it is important they understand when the weather might change so they can manage their condition correctly."

For more information about Healthy Outlook, contact your doctor.