Medical professionals support back World COPD Day
Sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), who often use portable oxygen to help them cope with their symptoms, will be getting the support of medical professionals this month.
Both the Torbay Care Trust and the East of England Ambulance Service will be making an effort for World COPD Day on November 16th.
The event is organised by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and each year it chooses a theme.
In 2011, the central message of the day is: "Are you short of breath? You may have COPD! Ask your doctor about a simple breathing test called spirometry."
Organisations across the world join in on the event to raise awareness of the disease and nurses at Torbay Care Trust will be offering free lung function assessments at Healthwize in Union Street, according to This is South Devon.
"There are nearly three million people in the UK who might have the disease, but with early diagnosis the progression of the disease can be slowed down, enabling people to live healthier lives for longer," community COPD nurse specialist with the organisation Jenny Holland told the news provider.
Meanwhile, the East of England Ambulance Service will be at the Forum in Norwich to offer information to the public on the condition and give free spirometry tests, according to the Bedfordshire Newspaper Online.
Earlier this year, 12 frontline staff members from the organisation became COPD champions, whose role includes trying to help sufferers stay in their homes rather than having to go to hospital.
Trust clinical general manager East of England Ambulance Trust Matt Broad told the news provider: "It is great to see the enthusiasm all of the COPD champions have for the role and I am sure that new developments will be soon follow in all areas of practice."
Posted by Stewart Elliott
09/11/2011 16:54:40
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