Patient Stories

Patients, particularly those new to HMV, often find it helpful to speak to other patients who are willing to share their experience. We have therefore compiled a collection of patient stories which we’ve shared as written stories and, in some cases, online videos. These stories provide a good representation of typical patient journeys, and we hope this will help other patients understand what to expect from treatment and from their device. Please note: In the videos, some of our patients refer to NIV – to be clear the devices they are using are HMV devices.

We would like to thank all of the patients who have taken the time to share their stories. These videos were filmed during the pandemic so were conducted via computer rather than in person. The quality is not as high as we would have liked but, you will understand that the safety of patients during this period was our primary concern.

COPD Patient Stories

Patient Story – Fatima

Patient Story – Fatima

Patient Story - FatimaFatima is in her late 70s and lives in Streatham, South London. Her two daughters, Saida and Zahda live nearby, with Zahda being her Mum’s main carer. In March 2020, Fatima was...

Patient Story – Rosemarie

Patient Story – Rosemarie

Patient Story - RosemarieRosemarie is 76 and a widow who lives in Shepton Mallet in Somerset. She lives next door to her daughter and two grandsons but doesn’t like to take advantage of them living...

Patient Story – Patricia

Patient Story – Patricia

Patient Story - PatriciaPatricia, 71 is retired and lives in Leeds. However, she spent many years living in South Africa working as an Administration Manager for an oil company. It was while she was...

Patient Story – Thomas

Patient Story – Thomas

Patient Story - ThomasThomas (82) and his wife Carmen live in North Tyneside. After experiencing pneumonia over 20 years ago, Thomas developed emphysema and bronchiectasis and was then given a COPD...

Patient Story – Patience

Patient Story – Patience

Patient Story - PatiencePatience (68) is originally from Kent but now lives in Blyth, Northumberland and is treated by the team in Newcastle at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. She was diagnosed with...

Patient Story – Graham

Patient Story – Graham

Patient Story - GrahamGraham, 66 lives in Elland near Halifax and is a retired plumber. He is a widower and lives with his two dogs. His late wife was an auxiliary nurse working on a respiratory...

Patient Story – Andrew

Patient Story – Andrew

Patient Story - AndrewAndrew, 63 is a retired kitchen porter who lives in Bedminster with his wife and two grown-up sons. He was diagnosed with severe COPD in early 2011 after being admitted to...

Patient Story – Gill

Patient Story – Gill

Patient Story - GillGill is 66 and she has lived in Plymouth for the past 50 years having moved to the city initially to go to college. She has two children, Robert who lives with her and Rosie who...

Neuromuscular Condition Patient Stories

Patient Story – Michael

Patient Story – Michael

Patient Story - MichaelMy name is Michael, I am 63 years old and live in Malton in North Yorkshire with my partner who has more recently also become my carer. In the earlier part of my working life...

Patient Story – Aziza

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...

Patient Story – Cath

Patient Story – Cath

Patient Story - CathCath is in her late forties and lives in Middlesborough with her partner, Carolyn and one of their two grown up children, as well as their three cats. She was diagnosed with...

Patient Story – Ian/Rachael

Patient Story – Ian/Rachael

Patient Story - Ian/RachaelIan and Rachael Flatt live in Green Hammerton in between York, and Harrogate with their two daughters Charlie and Izzy, and their cocker spaniel Nealla. Ian was diagnosed...

Other HMV Stories

HMV Patient Story – Chris

HMV Patient Story – Chris

Patient Story - ChrisChris was formally a full-time GP but seven years ago he was diagnosed with bi-lateral phrenic nerve palsy – the phrenic nerve essentially, controls the diaphragm – the bellows...

OHS Patient Story

Patient Story – Sheila

Patient Story – Sheila

Patient Story - SheilaI am 81 years old, a widow and live with my son in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside. A few years ago, I began experiencing bouts of ‘zonking out’, sleeping on an evening...

COPD and HMV – Clinical View

Jon – Consultant Nurse Respiratory, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth

Katy – Respiratory Physiotherapist

Our HMV stories video can also be viewed here.