Resident doctor on BBC’s Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan, has been announced as the first official patron of the Scottish breast cancer charity, The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated wellbeing and support centre for those impacted by breast cancer.
Dr Punam, who dazzled on Strictly Come Dancing last year, made a special visit to Edinburgh on Thursday 2 October to help officially open The House of Hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Glasgow-based GP made a name for herself presenting Laid Bare for BBC Scotland, as well as making regular appearances on BBC’s Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland.
The charity was founded by Lisa Fleming – who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 and given just six months to live at that time – along with husband Euan. The House of Hope will provide a supportive space for people impacted by breast cancer, as well as access to holistic therapies and wellbeing services away from the sterile hospital or clinical setting to compliment medical treatments.
Founder of The House of Hope, Lisa Fleming, said: “It is incredible to have Dr Punam on board – her advocacy for women’s health and patient-first approach to healthcare is exactly what The House of Hope is all about and we can’t wait to officially launch in October with Dr Punam as our patron.
“The NHS does not have the operational resources or funding to provide additional holistic care and support for breast cancer patients in and around Edinburgh. The House of Hope will help to fill this void, providing the much-needed community space and compassionate support we know is so vital for patients and their families.”
In her role as patron for The House of Hope, Dr Punam will support the charity through the provision of online advice and attending nominated fundraising events aligning with her own dedication to raising awareness of women’s health concerns through her work with the BBC and her own social channels.
Dr Punam, Patron of The House of Hope, said: “Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a difficult experience, so having a dedicated place like The House of Hope to come to is such a great resource and an important step in the healing process. I’m proud to be appointed a Patron of such a life-changing charity.”
Dr Punam is also a published author, with her third children’s book released earlier this year (August 2025). The Superhero’s First Aid Manual is a fun and colourful book packed with life-saving knowledge for children, who are often the first people at an emergency.
The House of Hope charity was inspired by London’s first-ever specialised breast cancer centre, Future Dreams House, which offers support through a range of services for women affected by breast cancer, including counselling, yoga, massage, nutrition advice, and peer support groups.
