New services launched for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

The HSE and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association are raising awareness of new services for patients with fibrosis to mark Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a group of diseases where scar tissue develops in the lungs, causing inflammation that changes the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen. Currently, it is estimated that 5,000 people in Ireland are living with the condition.

There are now three new services, funded by the HSE and supported by the HSE National Clinical Programme for Respiratory.

These include: The ILFA Advice Line, which is a nurse-led telephone advice line, providing access to timely, expert support and guidance from an experienced respiratory nurse specialist.

A new psychological grants scheme, which provides sessions of specialist psychological counselling for patients and family members.

It also included a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation service, which provides access to specialist exercise and education programmes without having to leave home.

HSE Clinical Lead for Respiratory, Professor Breda Cushen, said: “These three new services for people living with lung fibrosis delivered by ILFA, with funding and support from the HSE, provide care to patients where they need it, when they need it. Lung fibrosis is a progressive, life-limiting disease whose patients face significant physical and mental health challenges.

“The new ILFA nursing advice lines, psychological grants service and Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service ensure patients and their families are empowered and supported by experts across Ireland, and benefit people who may have difficulty travelling to in-person services due to distance, mobility limitations or health conc