| By
Steven Johnson
 Respiratory problems in the UK, and
in particular in the North West region, are on the increase. From
allergies like hay fever to conditions such as asthma, TB, emphysema,
lung cancer and bronchitis, breathing difficulties can affect people
of all ages.
To tackle the varying levels of care available to patients with
these conditions, Edge Hill has collaborated with the Respiratory
Education Training Centres (RETC) on a large distance-learning programme,
taught from Aintree Campus in Liverpool, and at 12 study centres
across the UK.
The courses, available as a Diploma in Higher Education in Respiratory
Disease Management or a BSc (Hons) Respiratory Health Care, are
validated by Edge Hill and accredited by Lancaster University. The
RETC also offers a short course programme and co ordinates four
national conferences per year.
Edge Hill’s Dave Lynes is Head of Education for the RETC at
Aintree and has been involved since its inception five years ago.
He said, “Its development was born from recognition that despite
there being a need for respiratory education, little was available
and where it was available, recruitment was poor.”
The project has been a great success, with the number of participants
increasing from under 300 in the first year, to 2,600 in 2003. As
the first multi-disciplinary degree programme in the UK, BSc graduates
have progressed in their careers as respiratory physicians, physiotherapists,
nurses and other related professions.
And as record numbers of students benefit from the collective expertise
of Edge Hill and the RETC, future objectives include developing
a Masters programme and a research department, specialising in the
social and behavioural background of respiratory disease.
More information can be
found at www.respiratoryetc.com.
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Edgeways
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