The VisionGiving Pulmonary Fibrosis patients and carers a brighter tomorrow.
Pulmonary Fibrosis NI aims to provide support for patients, their families and carers to improve the quality of life of sufferers of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Northern Ireland.
Together we can help Northern Ireland sufferers. You can find out more about our fight for healthy lungs, the support we offer and much more by signing up to be a member today.
Find out more about the condition, what treatments are available to you, as well as practical support available to you. Furthermore we wish to raise awareness of PF, amongst the medical profession, decision-makers and the wider public and to support research into improved outcomes and greater understanding of PF.
Ultimately you will find a supportive place to come together to chat and socialise with a community who can understand what it is like to live with the condition.
Welcome to PFNI Support Group. You are invited to join our friendly and supportive Zoom meetings. Every other Thursday we get carers and family members together online to discuss developments with drugs and treatment and upcoming events. Alternate Thursdays our meetings focus on sufferers of pulmonary fibrosis. On the last Thursday of each month we will have an outside speaker who will help by providing relevant advice on how to live better with the condition.Thomas McMillan
InformationWhat is Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis is scarring in the lungs. Over time, the scar tissue can destroy the normal lung and make it hard for oxygen to get into your blood. Low oxygen levels (and the stiff scar tissue itself) can cause you to feel short of breath, particularly when walking and exercising. Pulmonary fibrosis isn’t just one disease. It is a family of more than 200 different lung diseases that all look very much alike. The PF family of lung diseases falls into an even larger group of diseases called the interstitial lung diseases (ILD), which includes all of the diseases that have inflammation and/or scarring in the lung. When an interstitial lung disease does include scar tissue in the lung, we call it pulmonary fibrosis.
IPF is a form of interstitial lung disease, primarily involving the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs), and not directly affecting the airways or blood vessels. There are many other kinds of interstitial lung disease that can also cause inflammation and/or fibrosis, and these are treated differently.
About UsOur Team.
The Northern Trust Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group was set up in 2015 by Dr. Eoin Murtagh (Respiratory Consultant and President of our support group) and Pat Gorman (Respiratory Nurse Specialist); both are based at Antrim Area Hospital and have since been joined by Dr. Paul Minnis (Respiratory Consultant). Since then we work with the Respiratory Consultants and Specialist Respiratory Nurses at all five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern to provide support throughout Northern Ireland.
Chairman
Tom McMillan
Vice Chair
Pat Gorman
Founder & Hon President
Dr. Eoin Murtagh
Respite Care Coordinator
Una McMillan
Events and Ambassador Coordinator
Ian Simpson
Secretary
Clare Donohoe
Team Member
Dr Nazia Chaudhuri
Treasurer
J Byrne
Ambassadors.
Jennifer Ainsfield (Enniskillen), Royce Balmer (Newtownabbey), Janet Bamford (Ballycastle), Donna Cooney (Castlewellan), Shauna Lynch McKay (Dunloy) and Karen Crawford (Randlestown), Abbie Thompson, Lucia Lynch and Andy Oliver.
What we doOur Services
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult >>
Fundraising
You can make a simple donation via our Just Giving page or organise an event with other members to fundraise collectively >>
Support for Carers
Caring for someone with a lung condition can bring many rewards and challenges. We give practical help for people caring for someone >>
FAQ Section
It's natural to have questions about this complex disease. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Practical SupportPuffin Lodge.
