Lung disease drive launched

Thursday February 25th, 2010

A drive to diagnose and treat people with a common lung disease was signalled yesterday.

Lung disease charities are to work with government officials in drawing up a strategy for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Some one million Britons are known to have the disease and another two million are thought to be undiagnosed.

The disease is often confused with asthma and officials pledged that the strategy would also examine asthma care.

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "The British Lung Foundation has campaigned for this for a number of years as we believe that, when implemented the strategy will make a real difference to the lives of over three million people in England, who are affected by COPD.

"Our aim is to work alongside the strategy to ensure that more people are diagnosed with the condition at an earlier stage and given the treatment and care they so desperately need."

And Asthma UK chief executive Neil Churchill said: "We believe there are real opportunities to improve the way both COPD and asthma are managed in England, to the benefit of patients, their carers and to the taxpayer. Asthma is a major cause of hospital admissions.

"We estimate that the NHS could save around £200 million a year and provide better care through greater education, self-care and targeted interventions."

The strategy is currently under public consultation.

Tags: Allergies & Asthma | Respiratory | UK News

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