How new ventilation technology for COPD has transformed Lorraine's life

30th June 2026

For years, everyday activities like chatting with friends or enjoying a meal were a challenge for Lorraine Nunney. Today, thanks to innovative care from the Home Ventilation Team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, she’s back to shopping, socialising and even going on holiday. 

Lorraine Nunney was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) about 13 years ago. Lorraine, who is based in Whitchurch, has been under the care of the Home Ventilation Team, who have been committed to trying new treatment avenues to benefit the lives of their patients. 

Over the last few months, the Home Ventilation Team have been working to pilot Mouthpiece Ventilation in the COPD patient population. Currently there is little clinical guidance or experience of its use in this patient group and Lorraine was happy to try this additional ventilatory support and to provide valuable feedback of its potential use.  

In cases of COPD, patients have diseased lungs and retain carbon dioxide in their blood. The only way to get that excess carbon dioxide out is with a ventilator. 

“A standard ventilator involves a snug, fitted mask and tubing device that delivers aid under pressure to help inflate the lungs and breathe out CO2” explains Chris. 

“We advise people to use their ventilator masks overnight to get enough hours in, but often it can encroach on the day, and this can make daily life difficult.” 

Wearing the ventilation mask through the day can cause difficulty eating, drinking and being sociable.  

“One thing we’ve been trying is the use of a mouthpiece ventilator, instead of a mask.” 

The mouthpiece ventilator is used intermittently through the day and means it’s easier for patients like Lorraine to continue day to day activities as she is more mobile, less tired and has the confidence to leave the house. 

“I was getting breathless trying to hold a conversation and whilst eating” Lorraine explains, “but now with intermittently using the mouthpiece, I don’t have a problem with that at all.” 

“When we saw Lorraine using the mouthpiece during the day, it seemed like she was a bit fuller of life, more confident and able to do things” Chris says, “it's about liberating patients from mask ventilation, and we think it could be invaluable going forward.” 

“I was very nervous of going anywhere prior to having the mouthpiece but having the new machine has been a godsend in enabling me to do things” 

Since using mouthpiece ventilation, Lorraine has had the confidence to do things she previously enjoyed, before her COPD diagnosis. 

“I go out in the day, I go shopping with friends and for lunches. Its also enabled me to go on holiday, which I wouldn’t have done before” she says. 

Thanks to the Home Ventilation Team’s person-centred approach to care and efforts trying new practices, Lorraine was recently able to enjoy a cruise holiday, with less anxiety about her COPD management. 

“The Home Ventilation Team are a wonderful team honestly, they really are second to none” Lorraine said. 

The Home Ventilation Team have successfully implemented Mouthpiece Ventilation in other COPD patients within the service and are collecting valuable data to feedback to the national respiratory network.  

Laura North, Respiratory Nurse Specialist with the Home Ventilation Team, said: “Mouthpiece Ventilation in ventilated COPD patients has the potential to improve patient symptoms, quality of life and outcomes. We are excited to see how it can impact service utilisation and delivery.”