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'Moving On With COPD' - World COPD Day Conference 2009

Your life should not stop if you have been diagnosed with COPD. That is the message of a conference held on Wednesday 18 November to mark World COPD Day, organised by the NICHS respiratory team. 'Moving On With COPD' conference took place at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown, Northern Ireland.

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a general term for respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma or emphysema which cause the airflow to the lungs to be restricted or obstructed.

The 'Moving On With COPD' conference is aimed at the 21 Respiratory Support Groups that Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke provide for people living with COPD in Northern Ireland and will focus on the support mechanisms and self management techniques needed to live and 'move on' with COPD.

Conference events included a boccia tournament to highlight the need to decrease the cycle of inactivity, a shopping fair, health and information stands on smoking cessation, travel, health checks and beauty therapy.

The conference included advice sessions on self management of conditions delivered by a respiratory nurse and respiratory physiotherapist. NICHS Respiratory Co-ordinators looked at services available for COPD sufferers such as support groups and befriending schemes.

The conference inlcuded a talk by a member of a NICHS respiratory support group on how she has lived with COPD from a young age and the event closed with a motivational speaker.

The conference was in conjunction with World COPD GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world. Its aim is to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and improve COPD care throughout the world. Click here for more information on World COPD Day.

The NICHS respiratory team consists of five regional co-ordinators in each of the local health and social care trusts. If you have a respiratory illness such as asthma, COPD or emphysema and require information and advice please contact your local NICHS Respiratory Support Co-ordinator. Click here for contact details.

COPD Patients' Global Bill of Rights

The COPD Patients' Global Bill of Rights was an important achievement of the First World Conference of COPD Patients in Rome, Italy, 2009. This groundbreaking document sets out seven basic human rights that all COPD patients worldwide deserve.

To view the 'COPD Patients' Global Bill of Rights' click here or go to www.internationalcopd.org for more information.

Repiratory Disease in Northern Ireland

Respiratory disease is the fourth biggest killer in Northern Ireland and includes any disease which affects the lungs, such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and lung cancer. Many people live a long time with chronic respiratory illness.

The main focus of our respiratory services is supporting people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which is the most significant respiratory complaint in Northern Ireland. We advocate closely with other respiratory organisations, such as Asthma UK Northern Ireland, for example to consult on the forthcoming Respiratory Services Framework.
We also support smoking cessation, as this is a major cause of respiratory illness, particularly lung cancer.

NICHS Respiratory Services

The Respiratory Support Network is a community based initiative designed to support people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and their families and carers across Northern Ireland. The project is funded by the Big Lottery and is being co-ordinated by NI Chest, Heart & Stroke.

Click here for more information on The Respiratory Support Network.

"When I was told I had a lung condition I felt like I was the only one, now I know I am not alone"

"I have really benefited from listening to other people"

"I have had my lung condition 11 years now. I joined my support group last year and I love it!"

Not everyone knows what it is like to have a lung condtion but the other members of a support group do and this understanding and empathy can help.

For more details of the NICHS Support Network click here.

Respiratory research

NICHS funds vital research by local medical researchers and associated health professionals into a range of respiratory conditions to improve prevention and clinical services for patients.

Click here for examples of research funded by NICHS.

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