Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland has welcomed a pledge to increase support for those living with lung conditions
A charity has backed moves to increase support for those with lung conditions.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase the provision of an exercise programme that helps Scots with COPD breathe better.
Backed by MSPs and people living with lung conditions, the charity’s Right to Pulmonary Rehab campaign called for more access to pulmonary rehab to help the increasing number of people in Scotland affected by lung conditions such as COPD.
The government has today (Friday 20 January) launched a three month consultation on a draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland – the first time that lung health has been tackled at a national level. The plan includes a commitment to support NHS Boards to increase access to pulmonary rehab, and to look at ways of widening the support which is available.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a NHS programme combining physical exercise with education, advice and support that’s proven to improve people’s quality of life and help keep them out of hospital. Current provision of rehab is patchy across Scotland, with around 60,000 people currently missing out, but Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland estimate that for every £1 spent on rehab programmes, £5 is saved through reduced hospital admissions.
Last month, the charity revealed that a record 139,187 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – an increase of 26% since 2011.
Lawrence Cowan, director of communications at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “It’s great that the Scottish Government have listened to the thousands of people who signed our petition and wrote to their MSPs about increasing access to pulmonary rehab. Their personal experiences of how rehab has changed their lives are behind this commitment today.
“Scotland’s lung health is finally getting the attention it needs. More people than ever before need support to manage their condition and cope with the impact it can have on their lives. Investment in pulmonary rehab improves lives and it saves the NHS money – it’s so important that we grab the opportunity to grow this vital support with both hands.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to support the ambition to improve the treatment and support available to people living with lung conditions, and to implement our detailed proposals which we believe would transform access to rehab.”
Joseph Carter, head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “Lung disease robs people of breath and creates significant challenges across Scotland’s NHS. There are a growing number of people who are living with a chronic lung condition and they deserve the best quality care.
“We welcome the publication of the respiratory care action plan, which is a vital first step in delivering the support needed so that more people across Scotland can live well with healthy lungs.
“The lived experiences of people with lung conditions must be at the heart of the plan and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that those who know their condition best will benefit most from the commitments made in the plan.”
Richard Cowan (69), from Auchnagatt in Aberdeenshire, has been living with COPD for four years. He said: “Like a number of people, I just thought that my symptoms were a sign of ageing. I was having trouble breathing and struggling a bit more with physical activity.
“My diagnosis was a bit of a surprise, but in a way, it now means I get the support that I need to live my life as well as I can.
“Pulmonary rehabilitation has been a huge benefit to me and has helped me not only understand my condition, but it has allowed me to lead a normal life.
“With support I’m still here to have fun with my grandchildren and spend quality time with the family and that’s what’s important to me.”
