Improving access to Breathlessness Support Services
18th May 2026
Breathlessness is a common and upsetting symptom for people with serious illnesses. It affects daily life, confidence and emotional well-being. Experts like Professor Abe Guz helped doctors understand that breathlessness is not only physical but also emotional, and that care should focus on both. Research now shows that non-drug treatments, such as breathing exercises, handheld fans, pacing activities and relaxation techniques, can help people feel more in control.
Special Breathlessness Support Services combine medical, psychological and rehabilitation care to improve quality of life. However, access to these services is unequal. Many patients cannot get support because services depend on where they live or local funding. Educational materials can also be hard to understand for people with limited English or lower health literacy.
In an article published in the BMJ in April, palliative care experts Dr Sabrina Bajwah and Dr Natasha Lovell highlighted the results of a survey of Breathlessness Support Services in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The survey collected data on service delivery models, professionals involved, interventions offered, outcome measures used, patient demographics and resources provided to support equitable access to these services.
This national survey is the first to explain how Breathlessness Support Services (BSS) are provided across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The survey found that many services did not collect enough information about the people using them, making it difficult to know if support is fair and equal for everyone. The study shows that more BSS are needed. It also highlights the importance of collecting better information about patients, including their ethnicity, to make sure services are accessible to all patients.
Bajwah S, Lovell N. How can we deliver equitable, evidence-based breathlessness care for all? BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2026 Apr 17:spcare-2026-006244. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2026-006244. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41997717.
Van der Linden S, Davies JM, Bajwah S, et al Breathlessness Support Services in the UK and Republic of Ireland: a survey BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2026;16:494-498.