A Greenock patient has praised the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s Home Ventilation team for continuing to provide vital life-changing breathing support to him throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Home Ventilation Service helps patients breathe at home with medical assistance. The small team supports 250 people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde with the help of community carers and life-changing equipment.
They have continued to provide vital life-changing breathing support to these patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes people with neuromuscular disease.
Bryan Purdue has been one of their patients for the past 10 years, and is tracheostomy ventilated 24/7. He has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and lives at home, with the support of his family and support workers to live independently.
He enjoys helping charities such as DMD Pathfinders and Action Duchenne. He is also a volunteer researcher for the game Football Manager.
Bryan Purdue, 42, said: “I’ve been with the team since 2002, when I was mask ventilated between March 2003 and May 2010. I have had a trachi since May 2010 and am tracheostomy ventilated now.
“The team are amazing and always available for help or advice. They act as a hub for all my NHS needs.”
Lead Nurse Alison Clarke says most people they assist have neuro-muscular difficulties but with their help, they are able to continue to live at home with breathing assistance.
The team creates a package of care which may include medical equipment, carers and monitoring.
Patients are provided with non-invasive ventilation, where individuals wear a mask, or tracheostomy ventilation, which requires surgery.
The Home Ventilation Service has been supporting patients for the past 20 years.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the team now offer appointments virtually using NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Near Me service. The team are also increasing the number of home visits to ensure patients are safe at home.
Alison said: “We have a big responsibility to support these individuals and ensure they are safe at home. This often means organising a package of care, where some may be monitored 24 hours a day like Bryan.
“It’s so rewarding to see individuals get better. For many, it means they are able to live independently.”
ENDS