Welcome to HMViP
This website aims to provide patients, carers and clinicians with useful information on Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV), a treatment used to improve the quality of life and reduce hospital admissions for patients with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some neuromuscular disorders.
The site contains information on the treatment and what to expect from HMV, as well as patient videos and stories sharing the patient experience.
World HMV Day – 20th May 2025
This year’s World HMV Day will celebrate the role of carers – whether family and friends, agency carers or personal assistants. Use our hashtag #HMVcareiskey to support the event and help us highlight this important area for HMV users and their families.
Look out for our podcasts which will be published on 20th May! We’ll be recording discussions which look at what to consider when appointing a carer and, for family carers, we’ll explore some of the support available.
New Patient Leaflet
What is Home Mechanical Ventilation?
We have produced a NEW, updated home mechanical ventilation user leaflet. If you are a patient, a family member or a carer, the leaflet gives you information about HMV, what it is and who might benefit this.
For clinicians, a printable artwork version is available on our Resources section if you would like copies to give out, particularly to new patients.
You can now register for Asthma and Lung UK’s HMV Support Group meetings for 2025!
Asthma and Lung UK Home Ventilation Support Group
The Asthma and Lung UK Home Ventilation Support Group is open to all who use home ventilation on a regular basis and provides an opportunity to find out more about living with HMV and the chance to meet other users.
The meeting takes place online on the first Monday of every month at 3pm and provides talks from specialist healthcare providers, pulmonary rehab specialists and dietitians. There is no pressure to contribute, your comments and experiences are welcome but if you want to just listen, that’s fine too! The first meeting in 2025 will be held on Monday, 3rd February at 3pm and then every first Monday of the month. If you’d like to join in, please click on the link below to sign up:
Neuro-disability and Home Mechanical Ventilation
Around 2% of people in the UK have a learning disability. People with a learning disability are more likely to have other medical conditions and experience avoidable hospital admissions. Common causes of admission to hospital are respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia.
Travelling with HMV
For patients using home mechanical ventilation, airline travel carries significantly increased risk, and careful planning is essential.
Find out more information, hints and tips.
Patient Stories
Watch our patients sharing their story in our videos.
Patient Story – Sarah/Fleur
Patient Story - Sarah/Fleur
Patient Story – Sam
Patient Story - SamFull story to follow for Sam, please view the video below:
Patient Story – Aziza
Patient Story - AzizaAziza lives in Scunthorpe was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Type 2 in 1996 when she was seven. It is a condition which affects the muscles and the respiratory system, and...
HMV Support & Advice
Everyone has a different experience with Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV). Some patients get used to the device easily, whilst others can struggle. Included within this section are some common issues with tips and advice for resolving or improving these.
