Lung disease must be made a national priority - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Lung disease must be made a national priority - Mick Bates AM

June 24, 2009 12:00 AM

Mick and Chris Mulholland, Head of the British Lung Foundation, at the British Lung Foundation Wales' event in the Welsh Assembly

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates, has given his support to the British Lung Foundation Wales' campaign to make lung disease a national priority.

At an event held at the Assembly, BLF Wales highlighted the fact that although one in five people in Wales live with a lung condition, patients still face a postcode lottery when it comes to healthcare services. Services such as pulmonary rehabilitation are only available in half of Wales and in Powys there is no pulmonary rehabilitation available.

Members of Breathe Easy groups from across Wales attended the event and relished the opportunity to let Assembly Members know about the services they believe should be made available to all people with lung disease.

The British Lung Foundation Wales is calling for an urgent prioritisation of pulmonary rehabilitation services by the new LHBs, something Mick Bates AM supports:

"It is unacceptable that in Powys patients do not have access to pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a vital service for those suffering with respiratory problems, helping to reduce both the number of emergency hospital admissions and the overall number of days spent in the hospital.

"I will be working with Powys LHB to develop the pulmonary rehabilitation services in the area, to bring benefits to patients as well as help to reduce waiting times to improve the running of the NHS."

Head of the British Lung Foundation, Chris Mulholland, adds:

"Despite all the challenges of providing a health service fit for the 21st Century this simply isn't good enough. We welcome everyone's support in driving forward improvements."

Notes:

Photo: Mick and Chris Mulholland, Head of the British Lung Foundation, at the British Lung Foundation Wales' event in the Welsh Assembly

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a course, delivered with input from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists that helps people manage their lung condition with confidence.

For more information about the campaign, or about how the British Lung Foundation Wales can help you, please contact 01792 455764 or email wales@blf-uk.org

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