We have talked about the Expert Patient but some days we don’t always feel brave, confident or in control so who is there to help?
There are your local health care professionals such as your G.P. Respiratory Team, Physiotherapist, Asthma Nurses, Practice Nurses and others. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service can help you access the services you need.
NHS Direct offer health advice and reassurance 24 hours a day all year round. You can phone them on 0845 4647 or access their website for heath advice or to check your symptoms, find local services even email your concerns.
NHS Choices is a comprehensive information service that helps to put you in control of your healthcare and its content includes an A-Z of the most common medical conditions, non urgent medical advice, help with understanding your medication, advice on how to live well, access to blogs with comments from people like yourself plus information for carers
Charitable organisations such as:
British Lung Foundation http://www.lunguk.org/
Cystic Fibrosis Trust http://www.cftrust.org.uk/
All have pages and pages of invaluable information ranging from patient support, nursing and medical helplines, health publications you can order, as well as thriving online communities for you and your family or carer. Their pages contain advice ranging from simple hints and tips to more detailed explanations of your diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. They are there for you at both national level and more importantly locally.
And then there are many individuals who in attempt to understand and manage their condition share their experiences in a blog. People such as,
The COPD Bloggers http://talk.nhs.uk/blogs/copd/default.aspx
Kens Story My Journey with Bronchiectasis, MCI and Osteoarthritis http://linkis.com/blogspot.com/6mWbf
With one person in 7 in the UK being affected by lung disease always remember you are not alone and if we can help at all click HERE to email why not call us on 01942 70120.
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