People living in poverty in Scotland are nearly seven times more likely to end up in hospital this winter fighting for breath

Winter hospital admission were seven times higher for the most deprived 20%, compared to the least deprived 20%.¹ Around 140,000 people have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Scotland, with tens of thousands more estimated to be undiagnosed.²

This comes ahead of World COPD Awareness Day on 20 November. Health inequalities are a long-standing problem, with people living in the most deprived communities in Scotland three times more likely to die in winter.³

The charity also found that COPD admissions increased by 50% in winter compared to summer, putting huge pressure on the NHS and worsening the lives of people living with the disease.⁴

They are now calling on the Scottish Government to make treating COPD and other lung conditions a priority. They want to see the Respiratory Care Action Plan (RCAP) fully implemented, speeded up diagnosis, more funding for smoking cessation, and everyone getting access to the five fundamentals of basic COPD care.

The charity latest Life with a Lung Condition survey also revealed that only 5% of people surveyed in Scotland with COPD, were receiving essential COPD care. This is a drop from 2023, when it was 9% and 2022 when it was 14%.⁵

The five fundamentals are:

1. Offer treatment and support to stop smoking (if a smoker)
2. Offer pneumococcal and influenza vaccines 
3. Offered pulmonary rehabilitation 
4. Co-develop a personalised self-management plan

Optimise treatment for co-morbidities

Linda McLeod, 75 from Alloa was diagnosed with COPD 20 years ago. She is also the chair of Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire, a support group for people with respiratory illnesses.

“As the years have gone on, my COPD has progressed and now I’m finding the extreme fatigue can be quite debilitating due to the lack of oxygen.

“I am very aware of the dangers that the winter can bring. I have taken all my vaccinations, wrap up warm and try to avoid as much as possible picking up bugs and viruses. I also have emergency medication in the house such as anti-biotics and steroids. I find wood smoke and pollution from cars can be a big trigger and these get worse in winter when the air is colder.

“We definitely see many of our members with COPD at Breathe Easy group struggling more in winter and people being admitted to hospital, which is a real shame.”

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said:

“Scotland has one of the worst death rates from lung conditions in Europe, which must change urgently.⁶

“Struggling to breathe can be a terrifying and debilitating experience – it’s unacceptable that people living in our poorest communities with COPD are at greater risk of ending up in hospital fighting for their life.

“Emergency admissions of people with lung conditions are a major part of winter pressures. Only by ensuring that people with COPD get an early diagnosis, access to the treatment and support they need can we reduce pressure on our hospitals and reach the point where good lung health is a basic right enjoyed by all regardless of income.” 

ENDS

References

1. In winter (December to March) 2022/23, there were 1913 emergency COPD hospital admissions in the most deprived 20% compared to only 290 in the least deprived 20%. This is a difference of 6.6. Data from NHS Scotland monthly hospital admissions 2022/23 requested by Asthma + Lung UK Scotland.
2. Astra Zeneca Act on COPD Scotland 40391397_1.pdf (qr-code-generator.com)
3. A x3 higher mortality rate from respiratory disease in the most deprived local authority (Glasgow) compared to the least deprived local authority (Orkney Islands) Breathing Unequal | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)
4. In winter (December to March) 2022/23, there were 5010 emergency COPD hospital admissions, which was 50% higher than in summer (June-August) when there were 3263. Data from NHS Scotland monthly hospital admissions 2022/23 requested by Asthma + Lung UK Scotland.
5. Data from Scottish respondents to Asthma + Lung UK’s annual Life with a Lung Condition survey.
6. Eurostat data for 2011-2018, Causes of death - standardised death rate by region of residence. Available at: Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)