In the Community MCF
E MPOWERING CYSTIC FIBROSIS P ATIENTS TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY In 2015, Freemasons donated £500,000
linked to a smartphone app, will reduce hospitalbased cross-infections, improve patients daily life to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to fund a and give them more control. Ultimately, they hope it will help thousands of people with cystic fibrosis trial of a new healthcare programme to live longer and more fulfi lling lives. allowing people to monitor their condition The initial results of this study have proved to be extremely promising, with the majority of remotely, and the results are promising people fi nding home monitoring a better way to manage their condition. While further analysis ystic fibrosis is a complex genetic disease is needed, the results suggest that SmartCareCF that affects the lungs, liver and pancreas. can offer a solution to many of the problems facing The disease causes, among other cystic fibrosis patients. symptoms, breathing difficulties and If rolled out more widely, remote monitoring chronic lung infections. It needs constant technology could transform the lives of people monitoring, meaning that patients are required to with cystic fibrosis, allowing them more time and make regular trips to hospital – an exhausting and freedom to spend time-consuming with their families process. There Remote monitoring technology could and friends doing is no cure, and they love, currently only transform the lives of people with cystic what and living their half of those living fibrosis, allowing them more time and lives unlimited by with cystic fibrosis cystic fibrosis. In in the UK are freedom to spend with their families the words of one expected to live participant: past the age of 41, ‘It was a great trial with lots of potential to but thanks to advances in research, treatment and improve people’s lives. I’ll continue monitoring care, life expectancy is getting longer. some of the readings for my own benefit in the By allowing patients to manage their future and I hope my CF clinic will eventually get condition from home, researchers intend that the to integrate it with their own service.’ SmartCareCF programme, which uses smart data
C
FMT Summer 2019
Did you know? The MCF is now advancing medical research by funding PhD studentships at some of the UK’s most prestigious research institutions. In 2018, the MCF donated almost £2 million to fund groundbreaking research into degenerative diseases. Find out more about the MCF’s medical research funding by visiting: www.mcf.org.uk/impactmedical-research
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