A COPD Action Plan is a simple guide that helps you take care of your COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). You fill it out with your GP, specialist or nurse. It helps you know what medicines to take every day, what to do if you feel worse, and when to get medical help.
How to use an Action Plan
Fill out the plan with your GP, specialist or nurse. The plan has different coloured zones to show the actions to take depending on how you’re feeling.
- Green: This is your plan for when you have your usual COPD symptoms. It should include each of the medicines and inhalers you need to use every day. Ask your doctor to write down when and how to take them.
- Yellow: This is your plan if your symptoms are worse than usual. It includes extra medicines your GP, specialist or nurse may suggest you use if you are feeling unwell.
- Orange: This is your plan if you’re becoming more unwell, despite the extra medicines. It explains when to contact your doctor for an urgent appointment.
- Red: This is your plan when a flare-up is an emergency and you need to get urgent medical help.
On the back of the Action Plan, you will find tips on how to manage your COPD.
Ask your doctor, specialist or nurse to review your COPD Action Plan each year, or whenever you notice changes in your symptoms or after a flare-up.
