COPD

Babs Thwaites says the summer fires exacerbate her COPD, trapping her indoors, unable to visit friends or walk her dog.

Ms Thwaites says her husband, who died in 2021, also had COPD.

A study commissioned by Havering Council that was published in November found a "statistically significant" association between fire incidents and GP attendances for those with long-term respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.

Another local tells me her asthma is so bad she has been given an inhaler that is usually for people with COPD, and yet she has never smoked.

There was also an improvement in the quality of life for people with asthma and COPD.