A new Community Breathlessness Service is being piloted in Aneurin Bevan UHB and Swansea Bay UHB, with other health boards scheduled to follow suit throughout 2026.
Driven by the Respiratory Network, this ‘Once for Wales’ approach brings together multi-disciplinary teams to offer a patient-centred, one-stop model for diagnosis and treatment, designed around symptoms and local community needs.
With 22–40% of patients experiencing multimorbidity, the service aims to move beyond disease-specific pathways to deliver integrated, holistic care.
Benefits include improved quality of life, reduced hospital admissions, cost savings, and greater sustainability for the health system.
By focusing on early diagnosis, personalised interventions, and psychosocial support, the model aims to reduce hospital admissions and improve symptom management through timely community-based care.
This patient-centred approach also addresses the social aspects of chronic illness, empowering individuals to take an active role in managing their health with ongoing support and education.
The service is designed to be accessible and sustainable, particularly for those in rural areas or with mobility challenges.
It promotes cost efficiency by preventing exacerbations and reducing reliance on acute care, easing pressure on hospitals and supporting long-term health system sustainability.
Evidence-based practices and standardised data collection will help demonstrate the impact and scalability of the model across Wales, with early results showing improved quality of life and reduced unplanned care contacts.
Download the All Wales Breathlessness Pathway Design Workshop Output Report and the All Wales Breathlessness Pathway Infographic.