Background The Breathe Better group (BBG) has been running from Marie Curie Hospice Bradford (MCHB) since 2008. It aims to reduce dyspnoea, improve quality of life and mastery of illness for patients with end stage COPD. It uses four methods: education, exercise, pharmacological management and individual consultations. We aimed to ascertain the impact of the BBG.

Method A retrospective longitudinal study was performed on patients referred between August 2010 and June 2013. Data were collected on shuttle walk distance, mastery, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scores (HADS), advance care planning (ACP), and mortality. Outcomes were analysed using a paired t-test.

Results Data from 56 patients was analysed. Mean shuttle walk distance increased by an average of 10.8m which was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Total HADS score improved by 2 points. 65% of patients had an ACP after the group, compared with 24% prior to commencement. 76% patients died with two years of the group. Place of death (below) demonstrates an increase in rates of hospice death when compared with regional and national COPD data.

Place of Death (n = 45)

Discussion Results suggest that BBG improves shuttle walk distance and recording of ACP which appears to influence place of death. Missing data means conclusions are based on a small sample size. Improved data recording is a local priority in order to render future evaluations more meaningful.

Implications Other hospices may wish to consider pilot schemes especially as often this patient group are unable to access current NHS schemes such as Pulmonary Rehabilitation due to their poor health. A larger study with a control group of patients who did not attend will allow more accurate evaluation.