LHCH partners with BLF
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust marked World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day, by partnering with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) to support a team of its professionals who help improve the health of patients in Knowsley with severe respiratory disease.
As part of the BLF Nurse Programme, the BLF is already working with the team of nurses to help provide uniquely customised and innovative care for patients, and will be supported by BLF study days on a number of crucial topics.
In addition to focussing on a number of the most prominent severe respiratory illnesses, study days also focus on different aspects of the patient’s experience, including mapping a patient journey, self-management, and end of life care.
Explaining the benefits of becoming part of the BLF, Dr Sarah Sibley, Respiratory Consultant at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to partner with the BLF to recognise and badge 14 of our specialist respiratory nurses.
“Having won a prestigious national award for respiratory care at the Care Integration Awards earlier this year, badging our nurses is further evidence of our commitment to continue providing high quality care to people in their own communities with respiratory conditions.
Dr Sibley added: “As badged BLF nurses, our team now has greater opportunities to share ideas with other BLF nurses, attend study days and conferences and stay up to date with all the latest developments in respiratory health – all of which improves the care that our patients receive.”
The nurse team will be provided with unique training opportunities and access to all the support a major charitable organisation can offer, as well as becoming part of a strong network of other BLF Nurses across the UK.
Speaking on the rebadging of the team, Katie Merrick, Service Development Manager, British Lung Foundation North West region said:
“This is a great opportunity for the respiratory team and builds on the fantastic improvements to patient care already achieved by this team. This demonstrates how the voluntary sector can help support the NHS and add additional value and improve patient care”
The event took place on Wednesday 20th November 2013, World COPD Day, at Manor Farm Primary Care Resource Centre, Huyton, Liverpool.
The BLF Nurse Programme was launched in February 2006, and has grown rapidly as a result of a high demand. There are now nearly 100 BLF specialist respiratory nurses in almost 30 locations providing care in a variety of service settings
Find out more about the Knowsley Community COPD Service. Alternatively, please visit www.blf.org.uk