Lung health has been left behind
Lung conditions are England’s third biggest killer, and we have the worst death rate for lung conditions in Europe. There are huge gaps in outcomes for respiratory illnesses which are being driven by health inequalities.
For too long, lung health has been ignored by the government. As a result of this lack of action, millions of people are now suffering alone, waiting to find out why they can’t breathe or even to see a doctor.
Even when people do find out what’s wrong with their breathing, they often can’t get access to the treatment or care they need. They become seriously ill and end up in hospital, and it puts pressure on the NHS which struggles to cope.
That’s why we’re calling on the government not to leave lung health behind.
The NHS 10-year plan
Now is the time to help shape the next decade of respiratory care in the NHS.
Later this year, the government will publish a new plan for the NHS in England. It is vital this includes commitments to improve respiratory care.
Together with the Taskforce for Lung Health, a coalition working to improve lung health, we’re campaigning to make sure lung health isn’t left behind when this plan is published. But we urgently need your help to make it happen.
If you don’t live in England, you can find out more about how we’re supporting people with lung conditions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Fixing respiratory care will help keep people well and out of hospital. This will help the government achieve their goal of saving the NHS and finally give people with lung conditions the care they deserve.
Together, we can make that change. It will take just two minutes of your time.
A mission for lung health
The government has pledged to fix the NHS. They’ve identified three shifts that need to happen: from sickness to prevention; from hospital to community care; and from analogue to digital.
Getting respiratory care right will help the government achieve these goals, and lung health patients will finally receive the care they deserve.
Our report A mission for lung health sets out what the government needs to do to fix respiratory care.