'‘I can’t take chances, I’d get seriously ill or worse’ says Inverness lung patient
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An Inverness woman who has had a lung condition for more than 40 years is calling for all political parties to work together to make improvements for NHS patients elsewhere.
Agnes Laidlaw (65) has been living with bronchiectasis since she was 22 years old and her life has been transformed by the lockdown.
But she has benefited from the support of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and is now backing its campaign for a nationwide rollout of its Hospital to Home service.
The health charity already has it in Inverness – helping people to stay healthy, happy and safe at home.
It believes offering this to everyone in need would help free up NHS resources to focus on more acute care and help save lives.
Mrs Laidlaw is backing its No Life Half Lived campaign and has signed an online petition.
“Lockdown has changed my life completely,” she said. “I have been living inside my house for close to a year now because I’ve been shielding.
“I just can’t take any chances of ending up in hospital.
“I can’t risk getting the infection or I would get seriously ill or worse.
“I have seen my daughters in the garden and that’s meant everything to me but we haven’t been able to hug or see the grandchildren.
“That has definitely been the hardest part.
“I’ve missed the Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland Cheerful Chesters group and miss my social life and seeing friends at the group.”
But the charity’s online physical and social peer group has helped keep her motivated.
“I found out about the Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland exercise and social group on Zoom and I’ve really enjoyed going to those each week,” Mrs Laidlaw said.
“When I’ve felt a bit fed up, the Zoom groups have cheered me up and keep me active too.
“It’s definitely helped with my condition and it’s just generally what keeps me going just now.
“Lung conditions can make you feel self-conscious and you can only do exercises for so long but none of that matters in our Zoom groups. It’s brilliant and I feel more motivated every week I go.”
Mrs Laidlaw wants other patients to have the access to care she has had, and is calling on others to sign the petition in order that everyone can access the support they need – which she believes should be at home as far a possible.
More than 1300 people have signed the petition so far.
To support the charity’s campaign, visit www.chss.org.uk/nolifehalflived
To read more about Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland click here.
