The Chairman of the Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group, for the past two years has been working with the CEO and members of the Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Trust, Lead ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease) Consultants and Specialist Respiratory Nurses Wythenshawe Hospital and The Wellbeing Hub at Bolton Hospice. This has resulted in a dedicated Pulmonary Fibrosis Clinic, run by Lead ILD / PF Consultants, dedicated, Specialist Respiratory Nurses. This service becomes on stream from Tuesday 1st November 2022, at Bolton One Great Moore Street Bolton.

What can be expected by patients of the new ILD / PF Service

Earlier detection of the disease by their General Practitioner, additional training is being provided for GP’s to be able to recognise the early symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Fast Track referal by GP to ILD /PF Service

Extended Hospital Clinic Appointment Times,

On a definative diagnosis of ILD/PF is given, patients will be fully informed about the disease, what treatments are available, Information on Local Support Groups, Related Services, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and many other related resources. AgeUK, Bolton at Home, Bolton Hospice Support*

Access to the Specialist Respiratory Nursing Team for information and support.

Oxygen Therapy Assessment Clinics, for patients requiring the use of Home Oxygen Therapy

Twice yearly Pulmonary Function Test

Patients who have to travel to Wythenshawe Hospital, will now be seen at the new Wythenshawe Satellite Clinic at Bolton One for the majority of appointments i.e. Blood Tests, Pulmonary Function Tests, CT Scans. This will be introduced over the next twelve months on a gradual basis.

Bolton Hospice / Wellbeing Hub

Many people are under the misconception that a hospice is where people with a terminal disease go to die. This is certainly not the case, 50 percent of people who go in for hospice care, return home after a short stay. The hospice is not only for terminally ill patients, but patients who have a longterm debilitating disease of illness, which can be a big strain on them, physically, mentally and emotionally. The Hospice is a place they can go to have a rest, recharge their batteries, before retuning home to continue with their life. It is not just for people living with a longterm disease, but for their family and carers too.

Bolton Hospice and Wellbeing Hub is like a 5-star hotel, in fact if someone put a blindfold on you and took you into the reception. When they removed it, you would belive you were in the reception of a luxuary 5-Star Hotel. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, the decor is exquisite and tasteful, creating a comfortable and relaxing ambience.

The Wellbeing Hub has a modern comfortable Coffee Bar, providing a range of different Tea’s Coffee’s Hot Chocolate, Tasty snacks, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Cake, From there you are invited into the Consulting Rooms, Alternative Therapy Treatment Rooms, Craft Workshops, Large Comfortable Air-Conditioned Lounge, overlooking stunning Colourful Terraced Gardens.

Saturday 7th September 2019 saw staff from The Royal Bolton Hospital respiratory wards D3/4 gather at Pennington Flash Country Park at 9am. They had gathered to run the 5k to raise funds for Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group.

First 3 to the Finish Line

The course is 5000m (5K) long. The course is in Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh, Greater Manchester. The course is run entirely on gravel paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place.

The Complete Team of Runners from The Royal Bolton Hospital

We are so proud and grateful for the time and effort given by the wonderful and caring staff from The Royal Bolton Hospital. They are a huge support to the group and regularly attend our monthly meetings.

If you wish to make a donation to help support the Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group visit our Just Giving page and make a small donation. You help and support will make a big difference to people who live with Pulmonary Fibrosis. You can also may a one off donation or a regular monthly donation via Direct Debit for details visit our Fund Raising Page 

Friday 1st February 2019 in the grounds of the Royal Bolton Hospital an Oak Tree and Time Capsule was planted to commemorate the first anniversary of the formation of the Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. The Oak Tree and Time capsule was awarded, to the group, by Manchester Airport as part of their 80th Anniversary of the opening of the Manchester Airport. 80 trees were awarded to schools, colleges organisations businesses who had to state why they needed a tree and what it would signify to them. In our application I wrote:

I thought the Oak Tree would be the perfect representation for our group in many appropriate and fitting ways:

• The group being formed last year, it would be fitting tribute, both germinated and established in the same year 2018.
• Both having the will and determination to grow in strength and become recognised.
• The branches of the lungs being represented by the trunk and branches of the tree as represented in our logo.
• Both supporting life and providing resources for the benefit and future of others 
• Remembering that “from little acorns great things grow”

Knowing the tree will be around long after its present members have passed on and possibly the group. It will be a reminder that people cared and gave their time and effort to support each other, to give recognition when it was needed.

The Time Capsule contained: List of members of the support group, along with the groups Constitution , Aims and Objective, Copy of the Application for we submitted in our successful bid for a Greater Manchester Health and Social Partnership. Photographs of Royal Bolton Respiratory Consultants and Nursing Staff and DVD of the Royal Bolton Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme. Information from Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, The British Lung Foundation. Bolton Community and Voluntary Services. patienMPower. Recordings of Support Group Interviews Bolton FM Radio. Press cuttings of Famous Celebrities and Film Stars who died from Pulmonary Fibrosis, Keith Chegwin, TV Presenter. Marlon Brando Holliwood Film Star, Evil Knievel Famous Motorcycle Stunt performer.

Breathing in and breathing out is the most natural thing in the world, unless you suffer from the devastating lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis. It gradually destroys the lungs, making breathing difficult.  Around 70,000 people in the UK have pulmonary fibrosis with half suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has no known cause or cure.  6,000 die each year of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – more than the better-known leukaemia. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is between 3 and 5 years.

Chairman Steve, who has spearheaded the support group in Bolton along with founding members John Latham Secretary and Ken Ruscoe, Treasurer said:

“The planting of the tree and time capsule is a fitting tribute to our patient support group and also marks our first anniversary. Knowing the tree and time capsule will be around long after its present members have passed on will be a reminder that people cared and gave their time and effort to support each other – remembering that ‘from little acorns great things grow’.

Steve Jones, Chair of Trustees for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, said:

‘’Since the charity began in 2013 we have helped grow the number of support groups across the UK from six to 67.  The support group in Bolton has proved invaluable in helping patients and carers meet each other, develop mutually supportive relationships and be informed on treatment options.  The planting of the tree and time capsule is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the group.”

Michaela Bowden, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, said:

“I’m very pleased that by having the tree and time capsule in the hospital grounds we are able to raise awareness of this disease and mark the formation of the local support group.”

Stephen Morgan-Hyland Tweeted:

Thank you for inviting Lorna & I from @ActionPFcharity to share in the wonderful @BoltonFibrosis tree planting Steve, John, Michaela, you epitomise the importance & value of #PulmonaryFibrosis support groups Central to #APF aims is providing support to the growing UK-wide network

Dr Saiyyid Raza Lead Consultant Respiratory Physician.

Thanks for organising a fantastic event.