PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Thursday 7 May 2009
Health Secretary Alan Johnson visited Royal Brompton
Hospital this week to
meet asthma patients and gain an insight into the issues facing people living
with the condition. The visit was co-hosted by Asthma UK.
The Trust provides nationally recognised services for the
largest number of patients with breathing difficulties in the UK – including
asthma, interstitial lung disease, chronic lung infection, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory failure and sleep disordered
breathing.
Speaking to patients, the Secretary of State said, “It’s
been really helpful to meet staff and patients at Royal Brompton
Hospital today and to
hear about and understand the real issues facing asthma patients.”
After visiting one of the specialist respiratory wards and
the World Asthma Day awareness stand, Mr Johnson met two groups of patients to
learn more about asthma.
Jasmina, a patient from London, said; “Mr Johnson was genuinely
interested in what we had to say. He asked how asthma affected our everyday
lives. I talked about the difficulties I had experienced getting back into
work. I had to give up my job because I was just taking too much sick leave but
I certainly don’t want to stay on benefits for long. We discussed the need for
support for people like me to gradually get back to work. It was really good to
talk to him.”
The Trust provides one of the largest tertiary asthma services
in the country admitting over 1,000 inpatients each year. Already in 2008/9, it
has accepted 1,200 new referrals to the service. The Trust also hosts the
largest severe asthma service in the country with over 100 patients a year
attending the severe asthma assessment service. Patients see a
multi-disciplinary team that includes specialist consultants, asthma nurses,
physiotherapists, psychologists and dieticians.
Clinical lead for asthma and allergy at Royal Brompton, Dr
Andrew Menzies-Gow, said; “Mr Johnson was genuinely interested in the concerns
of our patients and listened to them describing the struggles they have living
with asthma. He said he had learnt a lot. I really enjoyed meeting him and I
hope he found the visit useful.”
Director of the lung division at Royal Brompton &
Harefield, Dr Rob Wilson, added; “He put patients at ease very quickly and got
everyone involved in the discussion.”
Neil Churchill, Asthma UK Chief Executive said; “Meeting
asthma patients and clinicians today has provided Mr Johnson with valuable
insights into the impact asthma has on people’s lives; in particular, its role
in hindering life chances such as education and employment. His challenge is to
ensure that high quality, accessible services are available for people with
asthma across the country.”
Mr Johnson used the learning from this week’s visit to
inform a speech he gave today on health inequalities.
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For further information please contact:
Joanna Parish
Head of media relations
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust
Direct dial: 020 7351 8672
Mobile: 07866
536 345
Email: j.parish@rbht.nhs.uk
