Lung disease victims delaying treatment

Senior doctors across the North-West are concerned that people who have symptoms of lung disease are not accessing treatment quickly enough.

Figures show that 23 per cent of people who have symptoms of lung disease put off seeing their GP for 10 years.

Nearly 200 doctors, nurses and therapists from across the region recently met to raise the standard of care offered by respiratory services in the region.

Dr John Williams, one of the North-West’s respiratory leads, who helped organise the meeting held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, said: “In the last nine months alone, nearly 16,000 people have been admitted to hospital as a result of lung problems; we have one of the highest numbers of people dying each year as a result of respiratory disease, 34 out of every 100,000 people.”

“Although in many cases lung disease cannot be cured, with the right medical care and support, it is possible to improve people’s quality of life, reduce pain and in some cases prolong life.

“It is important to get people diagnosed early, because then we can begin to build care around their needs.

“Symptoms can include a persistent cough, shortness of breath and recurring bouts of chest infections.

“Talk to your GP in the first instance who will be able to give you a thorough health-check.”

To find out more about respiratory disease go to www.lunguk.org