BLF Nurse presents research to international conference
Dorothy Wood, BLF Respiratory Specialist Nurse in Hartlepool, recently attended the 6th IPCRG World Conference in Edinburgh to present the results of a pilot programme aimed at improving care for COPD patients at end of life. This International Primary Care Respiratory Group meeting hosted by the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS) delivered a world-class programme and opportunity to meet people working in healthcare communities around the world. Dorothy and her colleagues in Hartlepool carried out work in conjunction with the Lung Improvement Programme to improve planning ahead discussion with COPD patients to identify people with lung disease who would benefit from specialist palliative care services and choose their preferred place of care at end of life. The result of this small study were positive and it will be rolled out to more GP practices in the area. It also identified that some practice nurses found end of life communication difficult and a course is now available via Teesside University.
Hartlepool focusses on COPD
Hartfields Medical Practice in Hartlepool held a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) event for their patients on 29 March with guest speakers, including Dorothy Wood, BLF Specialist Respiratory Nurse. The BLF had an information stand and spoke to dozens of people about the support available to them through the charity, including the local Breathe Easy Hartlepool support group. Over 90 people came along to the evening and the Liz Carroll, Intrahealth Patient and Community Liaison Officer, is hoping to arrange a similar event in Easington, Co Durham, later this year.
Gateshead event to promote self-care .jpg)
The BLF has been working with NHS South of Tyne and Wear and Gateshead GP commissioning consortia, GatNet, as part of a rapid improvement project for COPD in Gateshead. A COPD patient information event was held on 28 March in the Civic Chamber at Gateshead Council. People had the chance to visit information stands and hear from health professional experts. Speakers were Ailsa Nokes, Public Health Consultant NHS South of Tyne & Wear; Dr Rob Allcock, Consultant Respiratory Physician Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust, Deborah Dews, Nurse Practitioner Birtley Medical Group; Maria Williams, Stop Smoking Lead NHS South of Tyne & Wear and Lisa Wells, BLF Development Officer. Lisa has arranged a follow up meeting on 25 April at the Civic Centre for anyone interested in a new Breathe Easy group in Gateshead. Contact Lisa for more information at
lisa.wells@blf-uk.org or 0191 2630276. SPRING NETWORK DAYS ANNOUNCED Two BLF Network Days for Breathe Easy groups in the north region will be held on:
- 16 May - Hall Garth Hotel, Darlington
- 17 May - Safety Central, Leeds
We have a great programme lined up that includes media training from the BLF Communications Team and a session on getting the most from your local health professionals. To book your group's place at one of these events contact Margaret or Lisa - 0191 2630276 or email: north@blf-uk.org
Third Love Your Lungs campaign in South Tyneside
The BLF is working with NHS South of Tyne & Wear and has held four lung function testing events as part of the latest COPD awareness campaign in South Tyneside. The events were held at Asda and Morrison’s supermarkets and Mecca Bingo. Over the four days, 404 people had their lung function tested and 78 people with previously undiagnosed lung disease were referred to their GP for further tests. At the Mecca Bingo event almost a third (27 people) of the 93 people tested were referred for further investigation.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a cough lasting more than 3 weeks, has a wheezy chest or excess phlegm, ask your doctor’s surgery for a lung function test.
Are you a Lung Champion?
A worldwide group of lung societies and organisations, led by the European Lung Foundation, are running a campaign in this the Olympic year to highlight the positive link between sport and exercise and lung health (
www.wsd2012.org ). Do you know an inspiring individual who has achieved success in an activity or sport despite having problems with their lungs? Or do you know someone with a lung condition who has dramatically improved their quality of life by getting involved in a physical activity?
As part of the campaign for World Spirometry Day 2012, we are asking you to nominate Lung Champions who can help raise awareness of the importance of activity
and sport for lung health. We are looking for Lung Champions of all ages and abilities; perhaps aspiring young athletes with cystic fibrosis, a COPD patient taking part in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme or an Olympian with asthma.
We will recognise the achievements of all Lung Champions on the World Spirometry
Day website and they will also have the opportunity to share their story during lung testing events and with the press and media. To nominate a Lung Champion, please visit
http://www.wsd2012.european-lung-foundation.org/17588-nominate-a-lung-champion.htm The nominee must be informed about their nomination before submitting their story. Please let us know if you We’re Loving Hull!
The BLF has been working with NHS Hull to deliver a third Love Your Lungs campaign in the city. The campaign raises awareness of the symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and six lung function testing events took place at North Point Shopping Centre (Bransholme), Mecca Bingo, Morrisons supermarket and St Stephen’s Shopping Centre. We tested over 700 people, handed out information on COPD and the BLF and signposted people to local stop smoking services. We’re hoping to establish a new Breathe Easy group in Hull soon and anyone interested in this can contact us at
north@blf-uk.org or 0191 2630276. 
FRESH - Smoke Free North East Campaign
Smokers say “Every breath” made them more likely to quit
TWO thirds of North East smokers who saw a hard hitting, stop smoking campaign by FRESH and backed by Sting have said it made them more likely to quit.
The Every Breath TV campaign which ran throughout October, aimed to encourage people to quit smoking by highlighting the links with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) It was supported by the British Lung Foundation and doctors from across the region.
Before the campaign, research showed two thirds (67 per cent) of smokers in the North East said they did not know what COPD was. An independent survey of North East smokers who saw the TV campaign found that 67% of people saw the campaign, and of those:
- 76 per cent said seeing it made them more concerned about their smoking
- 66 per cent said that it made them more likely to quit after seeing it.
- 92% said it was believable
- 77% found it relevant to them
- 76% said it made them stop and think
A shocking radio campaign also invited listeners to participate in a breathing exercise, which simulated the effects of having COPD in its late stages, had similarly high results.
Most smoker who saw the campaign were left in little doubt that being short of breath is often a sign of a more serious problem, which could be related to smoking.
- 68 per cent of those recalling the campaign were aware that breathlessness is an early symptom of COPD, compared to 24 per cent of those who did not see it
- 63 per cent of those recalling the campaign were aware that stopping smoking can help prevent the progression of COPD, compared to 29 per cent of those who did not see it
- 59 per cent of those recalling the campaign were aware that nearly all COPD is caused by smoking, compared to 23 per cent of those who did not see it
Ailsa Rutter, director of FRESH, said: "This research shows that that we have raised awareness of the early signs of lung damage and the links between COPD and smoking. I am so pleased about the powerful impact it has had on people's awareness and their attitude towards smoking.
"We're delighted with the feedback from stop smoking services about the response from people in their communities, but also from real people who said it gave them the impetus they needed to quit".
“Research with smokers still shows a worrying lack of awareness about the range of diseases and many different types of cancer caused by smoking, and the 4,000 chemicals found in real, legal cigarettes".
"We need to keep ensuring we reach adult smokers with factual messages and to stop young people taking up smoking in the first place."
Most cases of COPD are caused by smoking and hospital admissions from COPD cost the NHS in the North East £50m a year - but it is estimated that there are more than 32,000 undiagnosed cases in the region.
All too often sufferers dismiss the early warning signs of a cough and breathlessness as a "normal" part of being a smoker.
Vanessa Whittle, from North Shields, who visited North Tyneside Stop Smoking Service after seeing it, said: “I had been considering quitting smoking on and off, but didn’t really have the inspiration to actually do it. Then I saw the advert on TV and it really hit it home that the woman in the advert could be me and I don’t want to end up like that.
To view the campaign website and adverts go to www.everybreath.tv
Fire and Ice
Bev Wears, BLF Support & Development Manager, has been working with Co Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service on a safety campaign to warn of the dangers of smoking and drinking, following a spate of house fires sparked by cigarettes. Firefighters and the BLF will distribute ‘In Case of Emergency’ (ICE) cards where people can write the name and number of someone the emergency services can contact. The cards also carry the BLF’s logo and helpline number on the back. Further information is available at www.ddfire.gov.uk
£1 million and counting!
Ten years ago Chris Knighton started the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund in memory of her husband who died of this devastating cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos during his Royal Navy career. The original target of £100,000 was quickly achieved with the support of many volunteers and lots of time, 
hard work and dedication, and in May 2011 the Fund exceeded £1 million. Congratulations to everyone who has helped with this tremendous achievement and funded several research grants into the disease through the BLF.
