Welsh Government announces new plans to improve care for people with chronic lung disease

Plans to improve care and support for people with chronic lung disease in Wales have been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Marking World COPD Day on November 14, Health Minister Edwina Hart published the ‘Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Chronic Respiratory Conditions’, which set out new guidance for the health service including:

• the promotion of healthy lifestyles and relevant support;
• timely access to well trained professionals for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; and
• seamless care provided by integrated multidisciplinary teams working across the traditional boundaries of primary, secondary, tertiary, social care and the voluntary sector.

Chris Mulholland, Head of the British Lung Foundation Wales, said: “We welcome this announcement but it is only a starting point for improving services for the one in five people with lung disease in Wales.

“A lot of work lies ahead if we are to ensure that people with respiratory conditions in this country get the care and support they deserve in line with the 21^st century vision of healthcare the Welsh Assembly Government wants to deliver.”

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