Updates

Read about our recent work, views from healthcare professionals and stories from people affected by lung disease.

Karen and her mum, Joyce Taskforce for Lung Health

We did our best to make sure that mum lived well with IPF

Karen lives in London with her husband. Her mum Joyce, lived with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, (IPF) for 11 years until she sadly passed away in July 2020 at the age of 88. Karen describes her mum’s journey and the impact of being involved with her care.

We need more joined up thinking between heart and lung disease specialists

Phill, 66, a retired salesperson, lives in Bedworth with his wife, who acts as his carer. He shares his experiences of a complex diagnosis journey for his cardiac and respiratory conditions.

It’s a full-time job managing your lung condition, and I’m still learning now

Andrew, 64, lives in Worcestershire and works as a computer engineering technician. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2011. His story highlights the importance of a patient understanding their lung condition in order to manage it through exercise.

It is important that Very Brief Advice is embedded in your mind

Darush Attar-Zadeh, a Respiratory Lead Pharmacist in Barnet, and Community Pharmacist, explains why it’s important that Very Brief Advice is embedded in a health care professional’s mind, and elaborates on why he uses an Ask, Advise and Act formula.

You never know the impact that Very Brief Advice can have on helping someone quit smoking

Sheila Hodges, a general practice nurse in Manchester, discusses the realities of delivering Very Brief Advice (VBA).

The desire to smoke never leaves you, it’s always there and it’s always a battle

Ron, 60 from Lincoln, has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He shares his story of giving up smoking when he was in his fifties, and the support that he received.

Steve Holmes Taskforce for Lung Health GP

We need to let patients know that it’s not easy to quit smoking but that you are there to support them

Steve Holmes, a General Practitioner in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, has an interest in medical education and respiratory conditions. Here he gives tips and insights into how to deliver Very Brief Advice (VBA).

Increasing our understanding of the state of care for people with lung conditions will help shape care in the future

Rachael Andrews, Deputy Programme Manager at the National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme (NACAP), explains how the audit helps to improve respiratory care.

The Taskforce will continue to campaign for change on behalf of people with lung disease

Sarah MacFadyen, Vice Chair of the Taskforce for Lung Health, writes about the challenges the respiratory sector will face in 2021, and the role of the Taskforce in campaigning for improved care and support for people with lung conditions.