James is 'giving back' by signing up to COPD trial

'NHS SAVED MY LIFE', SAYS 76-YEAR-OLD NOW KEEN TO HELP OTHERS

- By SAM VOLPE

COPD patient James Hamill with the research team looking after him at the Royal Victoria Infirmary

A NORTH EAST man has become the first person in the world to sign up to a new study that might help treat a chronic lung disease.

Newcastle patient James Hammill, 76, a retired engineer, decided to sign up after the NHS saved his life, he said.

James, who has lived with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) for a decade, had a cardiac arrest in 2023 and was saved at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.