Healthy Outlook® COPD forecast alert service

Supported by the NHS

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective name for a group of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions can be made worse in the winter by cold weather and also an increase in the presence of viruses that cause coughs and colds.

How does it work?

If you opt-in to take part in the service, you will get a recorded voice call by telephone when poor environmental conditions are forecast. The call will:

The Met Office has created Healthy Outlook® to help people with COPD take control of their own health and keep well in the winter months. The Met Office monitors environmental conditions and warns people when their health is likely to be affected, giving them the opportunity to take action to stay well.

• Explain the conditions we are expecting.
• Refer you to a patient pack you will be sent that contains extra advice and information about how to keep yourself well.
• Ask a couple of questions about your medication and symptoms which you answer with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This information will be passed to your doctor.

The patient pack and calls are available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Gujurati, Gurmukhi, Urdu and Welsh.

Find out what people currently using Healthy Outlook® think of the service.

Healthy Outlook® has won a number of prestigious awards.

How can you sign-up to the service?

Healthy Outlook® is delivered through local GP practises in areas where Primary Care Trusts have signed-up for the service. If you would like to receive Healthy Outlook® please contact your GP surgery to find out if it is offering the service.

How much does it cost?

Healthy Outlook® is paid for by Primary Care Trusts and, in some instances, GP practices. Individuals will not have to pay to receive the service.