The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a plan to tackle Scotland’s poor lung health.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, as she addressed MSPs, health care professionals and people living with lung disease at an event in Parliament to mark World COPD Day.
COPD is a progressive and long-term lung condition without a cure, which affects a recorded 129,000 people in Scotland, but with many more people undiagnosed. With COPD, your airways become inflamed and the air sacs in your lungs are damaged. This causes your airways to become narrower, which makes it harder to breathe, with symptoms often made worse when you have an infection or breathe in smoke or fumes.
The event was hosted by Emma Harper MSP, the British Lung Foundation Scotland and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland with support of Dolby Vivisol, who provide at-home oxygen services for people with lung disease.
The highlight of the evening was a performance by The Warblers, a local singing group for people living with lung disease, which is supported by both the British Lung Foundation and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
The event followed a debate in the Parliament during which MSPs from all parties pledged their support for a plan to tackle lung disease in Scotland.
Emma Harper MSP said: “As Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Lung Health for the last year, I’ve heard of the many challenges facing Scotland as we try to improve our lung health. But I’ve also had the chance to hear about and witness the amazing work already happening across the country, and The Warblers is a perfect example of that.
Singing is a fantastic way of improving people’s lung capacity, as well as their wellbeing. Not only that, it’s cost-effective. It’s these sorts of innovative interventions and ideas that I want to see in the new plan to tackle lung health.”
Irene Johnstone, Head of BLF Scotland, said: “Since the publication of our ‘Battle for breath’ report last year, we’ve been calling for a plan to tackle lung health in Scotland. We’re delighted that the Scottish Government has now committed to this, and with support from MSPs from all parties. We recognise that there is still much work to be done, but this is a great first step in tackling Scotland’s poor lung health.”
Jane-Clare Judson, CEO of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “It’s hugely welcome to see the issue of tackling lung disease being put firmly on the political agenda. For too long, it’s been neglected as one of Scotland’s serious long-term health conditions, which is reflected in Scotland’s continuing poor record on both prevalence and mortality rates.”
