DAMIEN MOORE MP SUPPORTS THE NEW TASKFORCE FOR LUNG HEALTH

As well as bringing together the lung health community, the Taskforce will help build public awareness and understanding of lung health and how to keep your lungs as healthy as possible.

Respiratory disease is one of the top three killers in the UK – 1 in 5 people have been diagnosed with a lung condition at some point in their lives and every year, 115,000 people die as a result of lung disease. It is estimated that the NHS spends £9.9billion each year on lung disease, including lung cancer and respiratory infections, making it the fourth most costly disease area.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen any improvements in the number of people dying from lung disease in over a decade. And whilst there are examples of effective services and good practice, it hasn’t previously been pulled together into a single plan covering the whole patient pathway, from prevention through to end of life. The Taskforce is hoping to change that.

As a first step, the Taskforce has opened a call for evidence to identify what needs to change in how we prevent, diagnose and treat lung disease.

Anyone who has experience of living with a lung disease, like asthma, COPD, lung cancer or pulmonary fibrosis, can get involved and tell the Taskforce about what we could improve here blf.org.uk/your-evidence .

Damien Moore MP said:

‘The new Taskforce for Lung Health, which brings together 25 representatives from across the lung health sector including patients, voluntary sector, professional associations, primary and secondary healthcare, will help to develop a single five-year plan for improving lung health in England as well as bringing together the lung health community.’