British Lung Foundation
Encyclopedia
The British Lung Foundation is a British
charity
dedicated to promoting lung health
and supporting those affected by lung disease.
The BLF produces a range of information free of charge on a wide variety of subjects, available to order as leaflets or booklets, or viewable on the website - www.lunguk.org or via the phone helpline on 08458 50 50 20.
lung specialists in 1984. It has maintained strong links with the medical profession, as well as utilising the talents of people from all walks of life who share a determination to try to conquer lung disease in the 21st Century.
Breathe Easy supports people through regular group meetings and offering help over the phone. There is also a pen-pal scheme, enabling people to make contact with others in the same situation.
Breathe Easy is also a powerful campaigning force for change, working hard at both local and national levels. It was thanks to a Breathe Easy campaign, for example, that the Department of Health agreed to a complete review of the way oxygen is provided in England
and Wales
.
- and in the political chambers of Northern Ireland
, Scotland
and Wales
.
The BLF also campaigns to raise public awareness of lung disease and the impact it has on so many lives through poster campaigns, events and by maintaining a media profile.
As a direct result of research funded by the BLF, it is now possible to measure lung capacity in infants; the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are demonstrable; lung transplants are more likely to be successful.
for COPD
towards the end of 2008. As Patient Advocate
, the BLF’s Chief Executive, Dame Helena Shovelton
has been working closely with the Department of Health to support the development of the NSF for COPD.
The BLF will be working closely with patients, carers, health and social care professionals and managers to develop activities to support the implementation of the NSF for COPD. The BLF will be developing ways of seeking the views of all of its partners via face to face forum meetings, email and the web.
is an umbrella term for a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis
and emphysema
. COPD
is a long-term lung condition which progressively gets worse. There is no cure for it, but a lot can be done to relieve its symptoms.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
dedicated to promoting lung health
Lung
The lung is the essential respiration organ in many air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of the heart...
and supporting those affected by lung disease.
About the British Lung Foundation
One person in eight in the UK is affected by a lung disease. The BLF is the only UK charity working for all of them, providing support and working for positive change for the future diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. One way in which the BLF provides support is via a nationwide network of Breathe Easy support groups. The BLF campaigns for positive change in lung health by campaigning, raising awareness and funding world-class research. The BLF also supports parents and carers looking after young children with recurring chesty problems.The BLF produces a range of information free of charge on a wide variety of subjects, available to order as leaflets or booklets, or viewable on the website - www.lunguk.org or via the phone helpline on 08458 50 50 20.
History
The British Lung Foundation was established by Professor Sir Malcolm Green and a group of United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
lung specialists in 1984. It has maintained strong links with the medical profession, as well as utilising the talents of people from all walks of life who share a determination to try to conquer lung disease in the 21st Century.
Breathe Easy
Breathe Easy is the support network of the British Lung Foundation. The network includes over 22,000 people, with over 200 support groups across the UK.Breathe Easy supports people through regular group meetings and offering help over the phone. There is also a pen-pal scheme, enabling people to make contact with others in the same situation.
Breathe Easy is also a powerful campaigning force for change, working hard at both local and national levels. It was thanks to a Breathe Easy campaign, for example, that the Department of Health agreed to a complete review of the way oxygen is provided in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Campaigning
The British Lung Foundation campaigns for improvements in all areas of lung health. Breathe Easy supporters and members of the general public have worked with the BLF to ensure that these issues remain on the agenda at WestminsterWestminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
- and in the political chambers of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The BLF also campaigns to raise public awareness of lung disease and the impact it has on so many lives through poster campaigns, events and by maintaining a media profile.
Research
On average, the British Lung Foundation invests one million pounds a year in research projects - all aiming to improve the diagnosis or treatment of lung conditions.As a direct result of research funded by the BLF, it is now possible to measure lung capacity in infants; the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are demonstrable; lung transplants are more likely to be successful.
BLF COPD Project
The British Lung Foundation’s COPD Project is a three year project which was set up in January 2007. The COPD Project aims to:- Raise awareness of COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
among the general public and health professionals. - Facilitate the sharing of information and expertise among patients, carers, health and social care practitioners, managers, commissioners and others.
- Support the delivery of COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
campaigns and publications, developed and produced by the British Lung Foundation.
National Service Framework for COPD
The Department of Health will be launching a new National Service Framework (NSF)National Service Framework
National Service Frameworks are policies set by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom to define standards of care for major medical issues such as cancer, coronary heart disease, mental health and diabetes...
for COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
towards the end of 2008. As Patient Advocate
Patient advocacy
A Patient Advocate acts as a support structure and if legally contracted to do so may act as a liaison between a patient and their Health Care Provider. Most health care professionals see themselves as advocates for their patients, however their time and scope are limited by their job function...
, the BLF’s Chief Executive, Dame Helena Shovelton
Helena Shovelton
Dame Helena Richards Shovelton, DBE, FRSA, Hon. FRCP is former Chair of the UK Citizens Advice Bureau and former Chair of the UK National Lottery Commission...
has been working closely with the Department of Health to support the development of the NSF for COPD.
The BLF will be working closely with patients, carers, health and social care professionals and managers to develop activities to support the implementation of the NSF for COPD. The BLF will be developing ways of seeking the views of all of its partners via face to face forum meetings, email and the web.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
is an umbrella term for a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. It is generally considered one of the two forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...
and emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
. COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
is a long-term lung condition which progressively gets worse. There is no cure for it, but a lot can be done to relieve its symptoms.