Report: Pat Ireland

We had a brilliant meeting in October!

Two speakers, one from Sefton, and one from Lancashire, which fitted in very well with our members' addresses; after all, we are the West Lancashire and Southport Breathe Easy Group, which spans an area including part of North Sefton as well as West Lancashire!

The meeting was very well attended, lively and useful to all. Steve Rowe spoke first; he is the Advanced Respiratory Nurse Practitioner at Ainsdale Health and Wellbeing Centre and Litherland Town Hall Health Centre. His presentation was superb - detailed, pertinent and really up to date, not just with Respiratory Provision as offered in Sefton, but also telling us very helpful information about the plethora of new inhalers which have come onto the market. This was a very lively, friendly and interesting talk and we are very glad to say that Steve has kindly agreed to come back and speak to us again next September, which we know will prove to be very popular with our members.

Our second speaker of the day was Ann Oliver, of Age UK Lancashire.

Ann had travelled down from her base in Lancaster, to speak to us, which again was greatly appreciated. She covered a wide range of topics, for example, focusing on Preparing for Winter, a most important reminder for those of us with Respiratory disease; getting oneself on the Priority Services Registry for Water, Gas and Electricity Services, and Will Writing and Powers of Attorney issues. Ann also provided a number of excellent booklets and leaflets for our members, and encouraged localmembers to take note of the activities at the Moorgate wellbeing Centre and the fact that the room can be hired for functions.

Ann also mentioned the Hospital Aftercare service. This service provides up to 6 weeks support for anyone returning home from hospital with little or no support. Whilst it does not replace the re-ablement service (dressing, bathing etc) or medical care, Age Uk Lancs can provide a take home and settle service. They ensure that the home is safe, clean and warm, that people have food in, and can collect pensions and prescriptions, check for fire alarms and do benefits checks. Age Uk Lancs have staff based at Preston, Ormskirk and Southport Hospitals, but not Wigan, so people can fall through the gap there unless they are aware of the service and ask for it.

Thank you very much to our two excellent speakers.

Our next meeting, the AGM, will be held on Monday 18th November, starting at 11am for our usual sing-song with the professional duo from the Power of Music, a very popular half-hour with our members! Our speaker at this meeting will be Dr. S. Youzguin, the Consultant Respiratory Specialist from Southport Hospital. New members are always made very welcome. We meet at the Girl Guide HQ, Green Lane, Ormskirk, L39 1ND. Door will open at 10.30 and the meeting properly starts at 11am finishing at approximately 12.30-12.45 pm.