Do you need help to stop smoking? Or are you struggling with sleep apnoea and need some specialist advice?
Specialist professionals from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust will speak at an event on Tuesday, March 10 from 10am to 12pm.
The talks will coincide with National No Smoking Day, which takes place on Wednesday, March 11 and World Sleep Day, which this year takes place on Friday, March 13.
Liz McDonald, a stop smoking advisor based at the Cumberland Infirmary, and Nicola Exton, a Sleep Apnoea Nurse Specialist, will be on hand to give advice.
Liz, who is based at the hospital and attached to respiratory, is currently supporting people admitted to hospital.
She said: “It is never too late to quit. If you can stop smoking you will live longer and feel better. It does not matter how old you are or how long you have smoked for.
“Smoking can affect every part of the body from your skin to your brain. It causes heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Smokers live 10 years less than non-smokers.”
“If you stop smoking you will feel better, live longer and have more money to spend on things.”
Outside of the hospital, people wanting help to stop smoking can contact their GP and local pharmacy for support.
Nicola is a sleep apnoea nurse specialist based at the hospital.
Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder in which an individual’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Symptoms include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and restless sleep.
Nicola will give a presentation that will cover what North Cumbria sleep service currently offers in terms of diagnosis, treatment and on-going care of patients with sleep apnoea. As well as the signs, symptoms and impact on health.
She said: “It is estimated between 80-85 per cent of people of all ages, including children, live with undiagnosed sleep apnoea in the UK. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnoea can reduce your life expectancy by up to 20 years and the cost to society is estimated to be £1.6 million.
“There is international evidence which suggests that patients with undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnoea cost the NHS twice the resources of an effectively treated patient. It is estimated that treating the whole moderate to severe sleep apnoea patient population would result in savings to the NHS of approximately £55 million.
The free event, which is open to members of the public, will also hear from Dr Matthew Lane, a consultant physician at NCIC.
There will also be an update on the trust’s #passthebaton campaign and the chance for people to become members of the trust.
There are lots of other benefits to being a member of the Trust, and participation can be as much or as little as you choose – more information about it can be found here: http://bit.ly/34xmVrJ
The No Smoking and Sleep Apnoea Advice event will take place in the lecture theatre inside the education centre on Infirmary Street in Carlisle.
