James Duddridge Local Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East Supports the Breathe Easy Winter Campaign – #Scarfie
This winter, health professionals across Mid and South Essex are encouraging people with respiratory conditions to stay well by joining in with the #Scarfie campaign launching.
More than 93,000 people across our area in mid and south Essex have asthma and COPD – a lung condition that causes difficulty with breathing. Cold air is a common asthma trigger and can make health worse.
Health Professions and Local MP James Duddridge want to encourage as many people as possible to stay well when temperatures drop this winter. One simple tip is to wear a scarf loosely across your mouth, this warms up air before you breathe it in and can help people with asthma and other lung conditions.
James Said:
“I encourage all my constituents to wrap up during the winter months especially those who do suffer from Asthma and COPD. By just wearing a scarf you could save yourself a trip to A&E this winter”
Dr Sharon Hadley, local GP and respiratory lead for Southend CCG said:
“By wearing a scarf, people warm up their breath before it goes into their lungs and can help to ease any respiratory conditions from getting worse in the colder weather.
With so almost 8,000 local residents attending A&E for respiratory related issues in 2016/17 – this simple tip could help many people stay well this winter.”
Sonia Munde, Head of Asthma UK Helpline and Nurse Manager, said:
“During the winter people are at greater risk of having a life-threatening asthma attack due to seasonal triggers such as cold air and cold and flu viruses.
Wrapping a scarf loosely around your mouth and nose warms up the air before you breathe it in, which can reduce your risk of an asthma attack. More than 72,000 people in mid and south Essex have asthma and this could help them to stay safe this winter. We’d encourage anyone with asthma who needs further information and support to contact Asthma UK’s Helpline, which is staffed by nurses on 0300 222 5800 or visit www.asthma.org.uk”
The local voluntary services have been working with local knitting groups and other volunteers to make or bring scarves to give away for free this winter. Local schools, sports groups, patient groups and hospitals are also joining in the campaign to help keep people well this winter.
Giant scarves have also been placed on a number of high profile landmarks across mid and south Essex to help raise awareness of the #scarfie campaign (see attached picture of Hadleigh Olympic Cyclist statue supporting #scarfie).
Knightswick Women’s Institutes, Canvey said:
"We’ve been so excited to get involved in #Scarfie – our group is always looking to support great local projects and this one could even save lives.” For more information about staying well this winter click here and further tips for good self-care can be found here."
Anyone can get involved in #Scarfie - all you need to do is take a selfie with a scarf covering your nose and mouth and post to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Scarfie.