Last week, our Research Development Manager John Goddard got the chance to engage with Pulmonary Fibrosis patients, carers, senior respiratory doctors & consultants at the Bolton Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group monthly meeting. He shared insights into our experience as a premier Phase I unit undertaking clinical trials in respiratory conditions (including Asthma, COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Cystic Fibrosis) and how Pulmonary Fibrosis patients can get involved in our research. Thank you for having us Steve M 👏 👉 Be sure to reach out via direct message with any questions #pulmonaryfibrosis #respiratoryresearch #respiratory #clinicaltrial #drugdevelopment #manchester #COPD #Asthma #cysticfibrosis
The biggest attendance we have ever had. yesterday we held our monthly meeting but it was made special by our distinguished guests. Jean-Michel Fourrier from Boredeux France, President France Pulmonary Fibrosis Association, Steve Jones Trustee and former President of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Kirith Entwistle newly appointed Labour MP for Bolton Northeast. Dr Michael Smith CEO Bolton GP Federation, John Goddard Manager of the Medicines Evaluation Centre base at Wythenshawe Hospital. There was more than 40 patient’s, carers, senior respiratory doctors & consultants. it was a very interesting and lively meeting. Kirith Entwistle MP was the first special guest to start the meeting. She was very aware of the disease Pulmonary Fibrosis and how it affects & impacts on people’s lives. She promised to do everything within her power to bring Pulmonary Fibrosis to the House of Westminster. She also offered to sponsor an open forum at Portcullis House Westminster, like we had last October Sponsored by Mark Logan MP. Dr Micheal Smith was very interested to hear the difficulties and barriers patients experienced getting the condition recognised by GP'S & prompt referral to ILD Consultants for a definitive diagnosis. He explained the complexities & red tape involved in getting changes made in the NHS. He expressed that pressure from outsider groups, like us had a greater chance of success. Steve Jones from action for Pulmonary Fibrosis spoke about the vast work they were doing with pharmaceutical companies like Boehringer Ingelheim, private & hospital-based research institutes & centres. The provision of research grants Encouraging & supporting new patient support groups to open and flourish. John Goddard manager of the Medicines Evaluation Centre told us of the vast work they do in research & clinical trials not just for respiratory conditions like PF but other equally devastating conditions. we were pleased to hear John announce the start of 3 new drug trials for pulmonary fibrosis, s. Finally, Jean-Machel Fourrier who outlined the shortage of specialist centres & hospitals. People having to travel great distances to obtain specialist consultants & treatments. John-Michel in his role was designated with the task of setting up patient support groups across France, this was the purpose of his visit to the Bolton Group back in November 2020. He had followed the work & activities of the Bolton Group on social media. He wanted to transfer the ethic & the model which the Bolton Group had nurtured and developed. From our help and support he was pleased to say they now had 8 groups throughout France. They would have liked more but COVID halted that. We hope we will see Jean-Michel again in the future, with news of many more support groups across France. The feedback from the meeting was excellent, members had found the meeting very interesting & informative as to what the future holds for Pulmonary Fibrosis