THE BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION
(COPIED AND EDITED FROM THE BLF SITE WITH PERMISSION)
"We’re speaking up for people living with lung disease. Make yourself heard - join the British Lung Foundation
Last year we celebrated our twentieth birthday. As the British Lung Foundation comes of age, we are entering a new phase of our growth. More and more, people are looking to the BLF as the voice of people with lung conditions. We work with government departments, multinational businesses, and world-leading scientists. We have worked hard to achieve this, but we still have much, much more to do.
As we grow in size and influence, we want to be sure that we remain the voice of people with lung disease. That is why the British Lung Foundation is here, and what makes people listen to us. When you join the British Lung Foundation, you are adding your voice.
In addition to becoming a member, there are lots of different ways to be involved in what we do; from emailing your MP, to taking part in awareness-raising events, to running a marathon! Whatever you want to do – you will make a difference.
In addition to helping us in our vital work, you will receive:
- a free copy of our quarterly magazine, Breathing Space
- access to all of our information leaflets and booklets
- information and updates on the areas of our work which interest you
- a membership card and window sticker
- access to the members’ area on our website (opening in 2007)"
Individual membership - £15 per year- reduced rate - £10 if you are receiving state benefits. Ring or download a form from the BLF site.
020 7688 5555
enquiries@blf-uk.orgwww.lunguk.org
BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION
Travel Insurance
Anyone travelling abroad is advised to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The El 11 form is no Longer valid. You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary healthcare during a visit to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident.
The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you’ll be treated on the same basis as an ‘insured person living in the country you’re visiting. Remember, this might not cover all the things you’d expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.
The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or pre existing illness. You need to make arrangements in advance for oxygen therapy. For Limited information on oxygen supply services in the EEA countries and Switzerland, call the Department of Health’s Customer Service Centre on 020 7210 4850.
It’s a good idea to buy travel insurance as well as taking the European Health Insurance Card.
INSURANCE FOR TRAVELLERS WITH PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Please note: The presence of these companies on this sheet should not be taken as an endorsement by the British Lung Foundation. The BLF accepts no responsibility for any action taken as a result of anyone reading this information sheet.
Specialist brokers
JD (Consultants) Insurance and Mortgage Brokers Tel: 01689 859102/3/4
Venturesure
Freephone: 0800 181532
Email: info@venturesure.co.uk
Website: www.venturesure.co.uk
All Clear TRAVEL INSURANCE
From Bishopscourt Affinity Solutions
Tel: 08712088 579
Website: www.allcteartraveLco.uk
Free Spirit Solutions
Tel: 0845 230 5000
Email: freespirit@pjhayman.com
Website: www.pjhayman.com
Freedom Travel Insurance
Tel: 0870 774 3760
Email: information@freedominsure.co.uk
Website: www.freedominsure.co.uk
Medi Travelcover Ltd
Tel: 01252 782392
Email: enquiries@mediTravelcover.com
Website: www.meditravelcover.com
Pulse
Tel: 01280 850 666
Website: www.pulse-insurance.co.uk
Email: david@pulse-on-line.com
General companies
City Bond Travel Consultants
Tel: 0870 444 6431.
Email: info@citybond.co.uk or
Website: www.citybond.co.uk
Insure and Go Insurance Services Ltd
Tel: 0870 9013674
Email: Information@insureandgo.com
Website: www.insureandgo.com
Perry, Gamble and Company Ltd
Tel: 01404 830100
E-mail: sales@perrygamble.co.uk
Website: www.perrygamble.co.uk
Preferential Insurance
Tel: 0870 428 4399
Address : Preferential Direct Limited
P0 Box 5317
Westcliffe on Sea
Essex SO7FD
Web site. www.preferential.co.uk Email. info@preferential.co.uk
Halifax travel Insurance:
Address. The Insurance Division
Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza
183 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SR.
Tel; 0208 763 3350
Atlas Direct
Tel: 020 7609 5000
37 Kings Exchange
Tile Yard Road
London N7 9AH
Holiday Insurance for older travellers
Marcus Hearn & Company
TeL: 020 7739 3444
65-66 Shorditch High StreetLondon El 6JL
Flexicover Direct
Tel: 0870 990 9292 3 Floor
Suite No 1
Westmoreland RoadBromley
Kent BR1 5AH
Nationwide Building Society Tel: 0500 30 20 16
Marks and Spencer Travel Insurance web site. www.marksandspencer Tel. 0800 731 2424
Saga Travel Insurance
0800 056 5464
Website. www.saga.co.uk
Additional Contacts
The British Insurance Brokers Association has a List of firms, which provide travel insurance for people with permanent or recurring illness:
British Insurance Brokers Association
14 Bevis Marks
London EC3A 7NT
Tel: 0870 950 1790
SMOKING BAN WILL RELIEVE ISOLATION OF PEOPLE WITH LUNG DISEASE, SAYS BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION
The British Lung Foundation has welcomed the announcement today that smoking in enclosed public places will be banned in England from 1 July this year.
The ban covers virtually all enclosed public places including offices, factories, pubs and bars, but not outdoors or in private homes.
It follows similar bans in the Irish Republic and Scotland. A ban in Wales starts on 2 April.
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “This is a victory for all of us who have campaigned so vigorously to improve public health. In the UK, smoking accounts for around 114,000 deaths every year and passive smoking at work is estimated to cause the death of two employees every working day. Anything that helps to reduce this death toll is greatly welcomed.
“The ban’s implementation will also relieve the isolation of tens of thousands of people with lung disease, who have been unable to visit pubs and restaurants for fear of inducing an attack."
"I believe the ban should go hand in hand with improved smoking cessation services to help those who want to stop smoking"
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the ban was a "huge step forward" which would save thousands of people's lives. She said:
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt called the ban a triumph for public health and a huge step forward for health protection. She said:
"Thousands of people's lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected. Smokefree legislation will protect everyone from the harm of secondhand smoke when working, socialising and relaxing and will provide a more supportive environment for smokers who wish to give up.
"The scientific and medical evidence is clear - secondhand smoke kills, causing a range of serious medical conditions including lung cancer, heart disease, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This legislation will help to prevent the unnecessary deaths caused every year from secondhand smoke, and recognises that there is absolutely no safe level of exposure.”
The Health Secretary also launched a new Smokefree England campaign which will help the country's 3.7 million businesses including nearly 200,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other leisure outlets prepare for the implementation of the legislation.
The government predicts about 600,000 people will give up smoking as a result of the law change.
To contact the press team please call Julia Shipston on 020 7688 5564, Jill Morrell on 020 7688 5565