12th January 2026
Dear Patient,
We are adding this post to let you know about the attached Blue Card leaflet:
Who is the Blue Card for?
The Blue Card applies only to patients who meet all three of the following criteria:
• Are aged 65 or over, and
• Smoke, and
• Have a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Patients who meet all three criteria are at higher risk of complications from acute respiratory infections (ARI).
What is the Blue Card?
The enclosed Blue Card leaflet provides clear information to help you understand:
• When to contact the GP surgery if you develop symptoms of a respiratory infection
• What to do if symptoms worsen
• What to do if the surgery is closed
It is part of a wider NHS approach to help prevent respiratory infections from becoming more serious.
No action is needed at this time.
The Blue Card leaflet is for information only and is there to support you if you develop symptoms of a respiratory infection.
Please keep the leaflet somewhere safe and refer to it only if needed.
COPD reviews
If you are invited for a COPD review, please attend when asked, as these reviews help us manage your condition and reduce the risk of complications.
If you have not had a COPD review in the last 12 months, please contact our recalls team, who will be happy to arrange this for you.
Further information
Lincolnshire ICB will be providing further Blue Card information in due course. In the meantime, the practice has provided this leaflet to ensure you can access timely advice if needed.
If you have any questions, please contact the surgery.
Kind regards,
The Practice Team
Merton Lodge Surgery
