People urged to ‘look out’ for lung disease

Senior clinicians 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 ten years.

Nearly 200 doctors, nurses and therapists from across the region attended the first of a series of events that aim to raise the standard of care offered by respiratory services in the North West.

Dr John Williams is one of the North West’s respiratory leads behind the meeting held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. He said: “Respiratory disease is a big problem in the North West. 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,” added Dr Williams. “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.”

If you want to find out more about respiratory disease go to www.lunguk.org