A Dudley pharmacist has won a national award for developing a respiratory service that reduces hospital admissions.
Nazir Hussain’s ‘one stop’ respiratory clinic supports GP practices across Dudley, helping to improve diagnosis and treatments for patients with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was named ‘GP or PCN Pharmacist of the Year’ at the Chemist+Druggist (C+D) Awards 2024.
Nazir said: “I see the difference this clinic makes to patients. I want more people to
have these benefits. “We know patient experience and outcomes can improve for respiratory conditions,
so I’m really pleased to be recognised in this way because this model really helps.”
The clinic works by proactively identifying patients with higher risks of needing hospital treatment in future. This is done by looking at how often patients have needed help and what treatments they’ve been given over a set period. Most high-risk respiratory patients seen in the clinic were successfully managed in the clinic without needing further hospital treatment.
Patients are also sent for diagnosis tests, such as spirometry which measures how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath. The clinic also offers fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing which measures inflammation in the lungs. Making these processes faster can help patients avoid long waits for hospital tests. Nazir manages the clinic two days a week, rotating between GP practices in Dudley. He has over 20 years’ experience as a pharmacist specialising in respiratory and hopes to expand the clinic in future.
Nazir added: “This clinic can increase in scale to help more people. I think it’s an example of the local innovation we should see more of in primary care. We know our communities the best so we can develop and deliver the services patients need.” As well as winning at the C+D Awards, Nazir was also shortlisted and highly commended in the ‘Rising star’ and ‘Hero clinical’ categories at the Asian Professional National Alliance NHS Network awards.
Diane Wake, Chief Executive at The Dudley Group said: “I am so pleased that Nazir has been recognised for this award and proud of his achievements.”
Dr Lucy Martin, Chief of Primary Care at The Dudley Group said: “Nazir’s knowledge, hard work and passion for helping patients is a real credit to the NHS in Dudley. He is doing amazing work and having a positive impact for local patients.”
