BLF welcomes Government commitment to improving patients access to healthcare in deprived areas - 05/05/08

The British Lung Foundation has welcomed the Government’s commitment to improving patients access to family doctor services in deprived areas to address long standing inequalities in GP provision.

Alan Johnson announced today that twelve new GP practices will be set up in some of the more poorly served areas in England including Rotherham, South Birmingham, Gateshead and Bristol. Each will receive over £1.1m by 2010/11 as their share of the £250m access fund announced last autumn.

The first practices are expected to be open to patients in less than a year’s time and PCT’s will work with clinicians and the public to develop patient services that reflect local needs.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to improving patients access to GP practices particularly in deprived areas where people are more at risk of respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” says Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation. “However if the Government is committed to reducing health inequalities then it is essential they introduce a respiratory screening programme as soon as possible as it has the potential to save millions of lives through early diagnosis and treatment".

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