Report: Trish Ireland

For the second month running, members of the West Lancs. and Southport Breathe Easy group began with a half-hour's singalong, led by the local "Power of Music" duo.

Singing together is a great activity, exercising the lungs and a big lift for the spirits too!

There followed an illustrated talk from Melanie Reardon, Specialist Physiotherapist from Ormskirk and Southport Hospital Trust.

Melanie is involved with delivering Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Cardiac Rehab, and Rehab for Cancer Patients (through MacMillan Nurses), and visits our group each year to speak to us, a meeting always very popular with our members, and this time she was accompanied by student Linda Kenyon.

In her detailed and very useful talk, Melanie outlined to us the many benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which is available in both Southport (the Lakeside Centre) AND Ormskirk (Ormskirk Hospital).

Patients can be referred for a course by their GP, or they can self-refer. She also spoke about breathlessness and how we can get the best out of our GP service. Finally, Melanie also told us about various inhalers and other equipment which can help us, such as a Power-breather - as displayed by Melanie.

Thank you Melanie for making time to come to speak to us. Your visit was hugely appreciated!

The next meeting will be held on Monday 16th July at our usual Green Lane venue, as above, and during the meeting light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome, respiratory patients, carers, friends and family. Although the meeting opens formally at 11am., with our very friendly singalong, the hall is open from 10.30am.

After our refreshment break, we shall have a presentation from a Medical speaker - anyone wishing for further information can call Trish on 07528 702203.