The award winning “HOPE” Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) service, has teamed up with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) to improve the standards of care for sufferers of chronic lung diseases in North East Lincolnshire.
This has resulted in Karen Cox, COPD Nurse Specialist becoming the first nurse in Lincolnshire to be awarded the status of British Lung Foundation Nurse Specialist. This will allow Karen to access specialist training and events provided by the BLF and develop contacts with highly specialist clinicians within the respiratory field.
Karen has worked as COPD Nurse Specialist for North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus for two years, and in that time has helped to develop the nationally acclaimed specialist service providing focussed support and advice for almost 200 COPD sufferers within the area.
Now Karen is developing a specialist clinic to assist GP practices with the management of respiratory patients, providing appropriate and timely care close to the patient’s home. Karen said:
“Gaining status as a BLF Specialist Nurse will enable me to increase my skills and knowledge even further, improving the services we offer. This will reduce the need for patients to have unnecessary referrals and admissions to hospital because their COPD is poorly managed.
“We have one of the most successful pulmonary rehabilitation services in the country but we are always thinking of ways that we can continue to improve,” she continued.
Karen’s announcement coincides with the launch of the Airway Code by the British Lung Foundation to promote lung health.
Special events will be held at Hope St Clinic during “Breathe Easy” Week, commencing 16th June, to highlight the importance of identifying chronic lung disease early and getting the right treatment and advice. The sessions will also demonstrate how pulmonary rehabilitation, an exercise and education programme for people with COPD, can help to improve their lifestyle and quality of life dramatically.
If you have COPD or think that you may have some symptoms that can lead to chronic lung disease: shortness of breath when hurrying, frequent cough, history of chest infections and you are a smoker/ex smoker or have been exposed to hazardous fumes and dust, you are invited to attend Hope St Clinic any morning during the week commencing the 16th June between 10am and 12 midday for a free Lung Health Check.
