Bradford has recruited the first patient globally to a new drug research trial which aims to improve treatment for a debilitating lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is primarily caused by smoking, is a huge problem in Bradford, accounting for 1,000 admissions to Bradford Royal Infirmary each year.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s consultant respiratory physician Dr Dinesh Saralaya, is leading recruitment to the trial, along with respiratory research nurses Karen Regan and Jackie Todd. The first patient, from the 17 countries taking part, is 72-year-old Christopher Heap, of Allerton, Bradford.

Mr Heap has been given a new inhaler to take home and, for the next 26 weeks, he will record how he feels every time he uses his inhaler.

He said: “I’m very proud to be involved in the trial. I’ve been attending the hospital for COPD for six years now and I’m hoping that other people like me will benefit from these new drugs.

“Living with COPD means that you are up and down a lot. Walking on the flat is okay but the minute you start walking uphill or upstairs is hard because you get out of breath easily.”

About ten patients will be recruited to the trial from hospital outpatient clinics, wards and GPs in Bradford. By taking part in the trial patients will also benefit from closer supervision of their condition.

Dr Saralaya said: “Taking part in big COPD trials is a chance for patients to be part of new treatments that are far superior to the ones currently in the market.”

This is the sixth COPD trial to take place in Bradford since 2009 and is made possible because The Bradford Institute for Health Research (BIHR) has now firmly established itself as a national and internationally recognised centre of excellence for health research.