Director of Research Innovation @asthmalunguk. Fighting to improve lung health through increased funding for R I. Allergy, asthma hayfever specialist.
Joined May 2012
- Tweets 1,243
- Following 308
- Followers 687
- Likes 1,674
286 Photos and videos
Samantha Walker retweeted
May 23
We were honoured to welcome some very special guests to our Breathing Space Garden at @the_rhs Chelsea Flower Show.
It's so important to share the message behind our garden, and our fight for lung health.
Thank you to all those who have attended so far, we are here until Saturday, so be sure to come and say hello to our wonderful team!
@ProjGivingBack @BBCiPlayer
Photos by: @Rubyekah
ALT Paul Smith
ALT Shirley Kemp
ALT Jame Oliver
ALT JB Gill
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 29
Yesterday's announcement by @NICEComms, recommending the use of mepolizumab on the NHS for people with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), could help thousands of people access a life-saving treatment.
pharmaceutical-journal.com/a…
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 26
Temperatures in the UK will remain high today. Here is how to stay safe during the heatwave. 👇
May 22
Hot weather warning for the UK this bank holiday weekend as we see temperatures soar! Health alerts have been issued as the country braces for a heatwave from today through to next week.
Karen Spillett, Deputy Head of Health Advice, said: “As temperatures are set to soar in parts of the UK over the coming week, many of the nearly 12 million people living with lung conditions may experience worsening symptoms."
"Hot weather can affect breathing and make symptoms like breathlessness and wheezing worse for people with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions."
Read more here: orlo.uk/ulrAQ
ALT Woman in a yellow top sat in front of a fan that is blowing cool air in her face.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 24
Wow what a week at @the_rhs Chelsea Flower show! We have been blown away with everyone's enthusiasm about our wonderful garden.
Take a look back at some of our favourite highlights. @projgiveback @BBCiPlayer
Photos by: @Rubyekah
ALT Three Chelsea Pensioners post on the Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space garden.
ALT A crowd gathers at the Asthma and Lung UK breathing space garden.
ALT Gabby Roslin and Billy Bailey strike a pose on the Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space Garden.
ALT Garden designer Angus Thompson poses with his wife Kate Binnie on the asthma and lung UK Breathing Space garden.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 20
It's voting time! Don’t miss your chance to vote for our Breathing Space garden at the @The_RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, under the category People’s Choice Best Show Garden.
Your vote can help us change and improve the lives of people living with lung conditions. You can vote here: bbc.co.uk/programmes/article…
Photo by @Rubyekah
@ProjGivingBack @BBCiPlayer
ALT Garden designer Angus Thompson is sitting in the Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space garden at Chelsea Flower Show.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 19
The @asthmalunguk #BreathingSpace Garden @The_RHS Chelsea Flower Show: an absolute triumph - and a wonderful evening spent meeting colleagues across the respiratory space to talk about what’s next in battling breathlessness!
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 19
We are here at the @The_RHS Chelsea Flower Show with our garden, The Breathing Space💜
We are thrilled to be able to share all our hard work and a huge thank you to everyone who made this garden happen, @ProjGivingBack, Angus Thompson, CGM Landscapes, Lyall landscapes, Djr landscapes UK and many more!
Check out our sketch vs the finished garden⬇️
Photos by @Rubyekah
ALT Sketch of our garden
ALT picture of a garden with a platform and trees around it
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Samantha Walker retweeted
May 5
So, you’ve just been diagnosed with asthma. Now what?
This World Asthma Day we wanted to highlight that you’re not alone on this journey.
We understand that a diagnosis may leave you with questions about what this means for your everyday life. That’s why Lanny, our Respiratory Nurse Specialist Lead, is here to signpost you to the right support.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Apr 28
We now have a new Breathe Easy support group in Ellesmere Port!
The Ellesmere Port Breathe Easy group is a welcoming space for people living with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and all other lung conditions.
Run by friendly Asthma Lung UK volunteers, including group leader Mike, and respiratory physiotherapist Charlotte, the group offers expert advice, practical support, and a chance to connect with others who understand.
Read more here: orlo.uk/Egx9p
ALT Support group. Two women chatting sitting on chairs, one women is in a hijab, one has dark hair in a ponytail.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Apr 23
With reports showing climate change has prolonged the pollen season, it seems hay fever is lasting longer than ever.
Our expert Samantha Walker Director of Research & Innovation at Asthma Lung UK shared the following advice: "If people are allergic to pollen, it can inflame their airways and cause terrifying breathing conditions, which can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups."
"If you have a lung condition, such as asthma, and you are affected by pollen, there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself. By taking the right precautions, most people with hay fever and other lung conditions can avoid the worst effects of the pollen season.”
Read more from Sky news here: orlo.uk/ruTt2
ALT Samantha Walker smiling at the camera in a floral shirt.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Apr 22
Are you interested in how your biological clock affects your Asthma? Join us on the 6th of May for an exciting webinar exploring new perspectives in asthma, including how working nights can affect asthmatics.
Professor Hannah Durrington will be sharing a sneak peak into her research on circadian clock biology of asthma and how this affects treatment and diagnosis for people with asthma.
Sign up today to secure your spot, in honour of World Asthma Day: orlo.uk/xn50I
ALT Older man with white hair wearing glasses, sitting on the floor with his laptop in front of him resting on the sofa, looking at the screen.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Apr 7
We're incredibly excited to have a presence at the @The_RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026!
This summer, we're inviting you to take a moment to breathe, relax, and reconnect with nature. Our incredible garden has been designed by the award-winning garden designer Angus Thompson and built by his partner Dan Flynn.
We hope our garden inspires reflection on how vital it is to breathe freely and we can’t wait to bring you along with us to RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
You can read more about our garden on our blog: asthmaandlung.org.uk/step-ou…
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Apr 1
Dr. John Blaikley and his team at the University of Manchester are investigating how the body’s internal clock influences our respiratory health.
Their research could transform how we understand and treat pulmonary fibrosis for decades to come.
For the first time, Dr John’s team has been able to study people living with pulmonary fibrosis directly, with data being collected from participating patients in Manchester. “We’re tracking the sleep patterns of the patients”, explains Dr Blaikley, “with some participants wearing devices that allow us to track their movement throughout the day, too.”
These exciting new studies will come together to form a reliable, accurate method of analysing our circadian rhythms.
“With continued support from organisations like Asthma Lung UK, there is real optimism that more effective treatments are coming”, says Dr Blaikley.
You can read more about Dr John Blaikley’s research on our website: orlo.uk/9Pc1I
ALT Picture of Dr John Blaikley with the text 'Thanks! Because of supporters just like you, we're consistently breaking new ground at Asthma Lung UK.'
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Delighted to share that our paper ‘Consortium‐Based Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement for Long COVID Research: A Pirit‐Focused Impact Evaluation of the PHOSP‐COVID Study’ is available dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.70591 & includes top tips for researchers to consider✅ @long_covid
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Mar 16
Are you free on Monday 23rd of March? Join us for an exciting webinar focusing on long COVID and managing your breathlessness. We’ve got a jam packed agenda for you, featuring Professor Faghy and Dr Heightman, who will be talking to you about how we develop research alongside patients, new discoveries on long COVID, managing breathlessness, and what the long COVID clinics are doing now.
ALT Join us for an exciting webinar focusing on long COVID and managing your breathlessness. We’ve got a jam packed agenda for you, featuring Professor Faghy and Dr Heightman, who will be talking to you about how we develop research alongside patients, new discoveries on long COVID, managing breathlessness, and what the long COVID clinics are doing now.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Mar 11
Many thanks for everyone involved in setting up & delivering the HIT-MESO trial & to funders @asthmalunguk @Mesouk & @uclh @ucl. Still some way to go with completing recruitment but really great of Peter and Ray to give their perspective to @BBCNews. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly0…
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Mar 11
It’s #NationalNoSmokingDay today.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your lung health.
We’re here to help raise awareness about the effects of smoking, and to support and encourage people who want to quit.
ALT Don't forget, today is No Smoking Day. Quit today and breathe better tomorrow.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Mar 8
Happy International Women's Day 2026!
This year, we’re proud to promote the theme of #GiveToGain and advocate for women living with lung conditions.
Women are more likely to have asthma, have more severe symptoms, and are more likely to die from their asthma. Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovations, shared with us the importance of recognising women with asthma and understanding their triggers.
You can find more information about women with asthma and our campaigning on our website: orlo.uk/wEnVN
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Mar 5
Dusting off my soapbox once again to shout about how poorly controlled hayfever can negatively impact exam results. Prevention is better than cure - get your nasal sprays ready. And remember, don't sniff!
Mar 4
Hay fever could be impacting secondary school exam results, with new research suggesting pollen exposure leads to poorer academic performance.
Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation, said: “Students with hay fever are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to summer exams.”
“To give themselves the best chance of success, students with hay fever or asthma should start taking a steroid nasal spray, their preventer inhaler, and non-drowsy antihistamines at least two weeks before their exams begin so there is time for the medication to build up in their system.”
Read more from the Independent here: orlo.uk/NyBdj
ALT Teenage girl sneezing into a tissue in a park.
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Samantha Walker retweeted
Mar 2
Join our sessions for an hour of fun that will put a smile on your face.
Our support groups are here for you to join a community that understands your needs as well as strengthening your lungs, and having a good time while you do it!
If you're interested in joining our online activities or group, you can find the perfect thing for you on our website: asthmaandlung.org.uk/groups-…
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