"COPD Annual Review"

* This was my first COPD review.

* I was seen promptly at the time scheduled.

* The Practice Nurse could not have been more professionally competent and reassuring in the way she conducted the review.

* My account of my symptoms was carefully listened to and noted in writing. The nurse's responses showed that she understood perfectly the points I was making about my condition, including the fact that I suffer from angina as well as COPD, which slightly complicates the diagnosis of my symptoms. I was given a brief account of some of the features of the condition in relation to my symptoms. This was very enlightening.

* The manner of scoring each set of questions on the diagnostic check list was clearly explained.

* All the spirometric tests were demonstrated by the nurse before getting me to do them. The same applied to the new inhaler that was prescribed. That there are different ways of using my two sorts of inhaler was also demonstrated, something never before explained to me.

* The graphic results of the tests were shown and explained to me in the clearest , most straightforward way.

* The reason for the nurse's decision to change my prescription was equally clearly explained, and I was told the action of the drugs in the new inhaler in easily understood layman's terms.

* The nurse helpfully ran through the relevant sections of the excellent NHS COPD Self Management

Plan.

* I was reassured to learn that the nurse would be contacting me in a month's time to find out how I was responding to the new treatment.

* In all, l the review process took well over half an hour. There was no sense that things were being rushed or that the nurse was sticking to a strictly delimited time slot, although I have no doubt that this nurse's day is a busy one.

* I was given the fullest and most attentive review that anyone could ask for. I believe that this consultation could serve as a model for any practitioner learning that role. The nurse's professional yet sympathetic manner, active interest and assured competence were outstanding, demonstrating a most intelligent understanding of the patient's needs. I am very grateful for the excellent service I received, and cannot praise highly enough the nurse practitioner who conducted the review. I would like these comments to be brought to the attention of the Practice Nurse.