Living With COPD in the United Kingdom

By Debz Borge

2 min read

I wanted to share with you what its like living with COPD in the UK. I am in South Wales and am very lucky with our National Health Service (NHS).

One of the luckiest countries

From what I have read and understand of different countries, we're one of the luckiest around (up until now any way, as things are starting to change and not for the best). With the NHS, our hospital treatment is usually free. Wales and England are both in the UK - the only thing dividing us is a bridge. Some treatments you can get in England on the NHS but not in Wales and vice versa.

My treatment for COPD is free

Where I live in South Wales, my treatment for COPD is free. I am unable to work and I don't pay for my prescriptions, pumps, antibiotics, and steroids. I could also get free oxygen or a nebulizer at home if need be. In England you do pay per item and can purchase a 6 month or yearly supply which is cheaper than paying by the month.

COPD team

Where I am in South Wales I'm lucky enough to have a COPD team at the hospital that will come to your home after you are discharged. Depending on your needs, the team could include a dietician, physiotherapist, or a nurse. These professionals will liaise with your doctor and keep them abreast of your state. They will also visit your home if you have a chest infection or another potentially related condition.

Adjusting to your new life

This program was started to help treat patients at home instead of being admitted to the hospital. This freed up beds for those more seriously ill. Plus, it's nice to be treated at home instead of at a hospital. I suppose in many ways things are a lot easier here, as we don't have the worry of having to pay for our medical treatments and medications.

We can also apply for grants to help have things changed around the home (if on low incomes). Furniture raises, walking aids, wheelchairs, perching stools, and back raises for the bed, etc. are also available to help you readjust to your new life at home.

I thank my blessings

I thank my blessings for our NHS and for the help that I get. I am lucky and have learned not to take things for granted. Since I started interacting with this community I have read how people cannot get the right medication when the insurance company will not cover it. That us a frightening situation to be in. I can only imagine and am grateful for the care I have here in the U.K.

Recently I was in a situation where there was been a problem getting a certain medication due to a manufacturer problem. This was frustrating and difficult to navigate, but compared to COPD patients in other countries it was a small blip. I just wanted to share a little bit about how a different country works regarding the treatment of COPD.

Editor's Note: We are heartbroken to share that Debz passed away in October of 2021. She is deeply missed but her positivity and resilience live on through her articles. Thank you for everything, Debz.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Sounds like a neat set up. Really neat that they come to your home. I think that's great for the COPD community, as hospitals can expose you to germs you don't need to be exposed to -- among other reasons of course. Great post. Thanks for sharing. John. <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a> Site Moderator.
1. Debz Borge Moderator
 Hi John yes were really lucky I do believe sometimes being at home and treated you can get better quicker. And being supported at home after a stint in hospital. Thank you for sharing with us. Debz (Site Moderator)
plum Member
hi Debz, I too live in mid wales on the border with England. I had previously lived in Australia for 16 years, I am not entitled to any form of benefit for three years as I had lived aboard. I asked if I could go on a pulmonary course and am still waiting 20 months later, the British lung foundation say it’s because I am on the border with England and that 20 months is too long. I asked for my medical records and saw that a doctor had sent a fax to the hospital saying that I had pulmonary rehab in Australia, this is not true and I was never asked that. I too get my meds free but then I did pay into the nhs all my life and even bought my pension to the up to top up my credits, but now have to live off them. I have been offered help by a member of the welsh assembly, and will take her up on her offer. Good that you are having help with copd but not all of us are.
1. Debz Borge Moderator
 Hi Plum thank you for your comment, I really hope you get to do the Pulmonary Rehab programme soon, maybe your Dr got confused about you doing the course in Australia. Hang in there I'm sure they will sort you soon. Some Gyms will assess you to see what level your at for exercises especially the cardio. Debz (Site Moderator)
2. plum Member
 No the doctor didn’t get confused he filled in that form when I wasn’t there. The nurse changed my meds to an all in one inhaler when I said is that the one with the brown lid she said no, guess what it was the same one I had taken six months before, it didn’t agree with me, listening to a patient would be nice instead of talking over them. When the nhs works it’s a fantastic institution, saved my grandaughters life. I have also been waiting six months for the results of a cat scan, last time I saw a clinician they were talking about taking half my left lung away. Due to waiting all this time my mental health has deteriorated, I am seeing a lady from mind.
vittoria Member
Hi Debz: So glad you wrote about the difference in treatments in the UK vs other countries. I had a friend from the UK and she talked about how great the services were. We have a long way to go in the US. John: I agree with you about hospitalization vs being at home. I, too, believe you are at greater risk for germs there and a lot to be said about recouping in the comfort of your home and getting better, more consistent sleep than in a hospital.
1. Debz Borge Moderator
 Hi Vittoria thank you for your comment, yes we are really lucky here in the UK but I will add not all areas have the service regarding COPD where I live. Thank you for sharing with us. Debz (Site Moderator)