People living with long-term respiratory conditions across Morecambe Bay can now access ‘Breathe Easy’ groups based in the community. The groups are an Integrated Care Community (ICC) initiative supported by volunteers and are affiliated with Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network and Asthma + Lung UK.
They will offer people with respiratory conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and Interstitial Lung Disease advice and support from health and care professionals.
The groups are open to anyone aged 18 and above, giving them the chance to share their experiences and learn from others who are living with the same or a similar long-term respiratory condition. The sessions are free, no appointment or referral is needed and friends, family and carers are also welcome.
Participant feedback has included:
- "Very informative, we will be back next month."
- "It was good, Dr Hutchinson is lovely and we appreciated her time today."
Dr Pat Haslam, founder and Clinical Lead of Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network, said: “We're so excited to see the Integrated Breathe Easy groups start up across the Bay. They are a fundamental part of improving the quality of life of our patients with respiratory disease. There is evidence to show that patients who attend these groups have improved quality of life, reduced admissions to hospital and improved knowledge of how to self-manage their condition. We are looking forward to seeing more groups across the Bay so that all of our patients can benefit from them."
Anji Stokes, Development Lead for Bay ICC, added: "Breathe Easy will be great for our area. The sessions provide an opportunity for people with lung conditions to hear from local specialist speakers in an informal environment with plenty of opportunities for questions, the sessions are led by two volunteers and people use their own experiences to help and support each other. If you are over 18 and have a lung condition or are supporting someone with a lung condition, I would encourage you to attend."
Breathe Easy Morecambe launched on Tuesday 19 April 2022 with a talk from Dr Charlotte Hutchinson, of Bay Medical Group, and the opportunity for people to take part in a mindful movement session. 22 people attended the session which was supported by volunteers.
Breathe Easy Morecambe will be held at Heysham Mossgate Sports and Community Centre, Townson Way, Heysham, Morecambe, LA32AW, on the third Tuesday of each month between 1pm and 3pm.
Breathe Easy Lancaster (formally Airways) relaunched on Thursday 7 April 2022 with a talk from Dr Pat Haslam, GP at Queen Square and founder and Clinical Lead of MBRN. The group ran for a year as ‘Airways’ before the COVID pandemic hit.
Breathe Easy Lancaster will be held the first Thursday of each month at the Oak Centre, St John's Hospice, Lancaster, LA2 6ST, between 1pm and 3pm.
Breathe Easy Kendal is due to launch on Thursday 19 May 2022 with a talk and the opportunity to take part in activities and mindful movement.
Breathe Easy Kendal will be held on the third Thursday of the month at Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Road, Kendal, LA9 7HX, between 1pm and 3pm.
Furness Breathe Easy Group (Barrow & Mid Furness) is due to relaunch on Wednesday 15 June 2022 at St Mary's Living Well Centre, 299-301 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 1XU. More details will be released soon.
Breathe Easy (East ICC) is coming soon. More details will be released shortly.
You can find out more information about the Breathe Easy groups here.
You can access Breathe Easy Lancaster and Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth & surrounding areas Facebook page here. You can find out more about Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network here.