Residents including parents of children who have received care for two conditions — asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — have been asked to assist in guiding the island’s healthcare strategy.

The Ministry of Health has issued online links to patient care surveys on asthma and COPD for anonymous feedback.

The ten-minute questionnaires, launched today, are aimed at collecting feedback on accessing and using services related to the illnesses.

They are aimed at strengthening care as part of the 2022-27 health strategy, the respiratory illness integrated care pathway and the move to universal health coverage.

Responses must be submitted by August 22.

The programme is chaired by Debbie Barboza, the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s asthma and COPD nurse educator, and is supported by the ministry’s UHC project management office.

Patient and service provider interviews have been conducted, and two workshops are scheduled to include patient representatives and health service providers specialising in paediatrics, respiratory physiology, GPs and public health.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said the two illnesses were flagged up as priority diseases in the island’s 2023 joint strategic needs assessment, requiring the development of a priority disease control plan.

Ms Wilson said asthma was one of the top five reasons for paediatric insurance claims in 2021, and was the most common long-term condition in children globally.

Ms Barboza “strongly” encouraged anyone affected by the conditions to take part.

She added: “Your feedback is essential in helping us understand the real-world challenges faced by patients and in developing a comprehensive and integrated care pathway that improves outcomes for all those affected by respiratory conditions.”