New action call to aid COPD sufferers
A MAN said he almost died twice after failing to get hold of his medication on time.
Derek Cummings, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), saw his condition rapidly decline into pneumonia and he needed to have hospital care as a result.
The pensioner, who lives in Treorchy, said people were needlessly dying and is calling for a new plan to be put in place for sufferers like him.
Latest figures show a total of 80% of people with COPD in Wales do not receive basic recommended levels of care.
Derek, 73, said: “I do have emergency medication packs of steroids and antibiotics that save a lot of lives.
“I had to delay taking my medication and ended up with pneumonia first.
“I did not have time to react – both times I ended up in hospital with a serious condition. The reality is that bad with COPD and that a common cold is dangerous.”
He added: “There are some serious common colds going around and we are more worried about that than Covid. When you have COPD your lungs are like paper – it’s a shocking condition but it’s a very slow progressive disease.”
Research from the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation revealed only 17.4% of people in Wales had the five fundamentals of COPD care as set out in NICE clinical guidelines ranging from a written self-management plan, access to pulmonary rehabilitation, assistance to stop smoking, along with flu and pneumonia vaccination.
Figures show there are more than 76,000 people living with COPD in Wales and that they are not getting the care they need despite the investment in the previous Respiratory Health Delivery Plan.
Derek, who has a severe form of the condition, said there were many more people who did not realise they too were living with COPD.
“There are thousands of people walking around in Wales with COPD who do not realise how they have got it,” he said.
“When they see a doctor it’s at a late stage. COPD can be treated but it cannot be cured. Shockingly COPD is the third biggest killer in Wales.”
Derek, who has lived with COPD for half his life and was diagnosed in 1987, said he suffered health problems from a young age. He had whopping cough and sarcoidosis in his 20s.
He said he hoped a new plan would be put in place to help other sufferers.
“Part of the problem is that many catch more than five exacerbations per year,” he added.
“If the patient was managed better there would be less exacerbations and less deaths as not enough is being done about it. A new lung initiative would help to save lives.”
Joseph Carter, head of Asthma UK & British Lung Foundation Wales, said: “It’s disappointing to hear people in Wales are not getting the care they need to ensure a good quality of life.
“With Covid-19 having such a dramatic impact on in-person appointments and diagnosis rates it is clear many have been left behind.
“We’re calling on the Welsh Government to publish a new Lung Health Quality Statement to ensure everyone with COPD has access to the five fundamentals of basic care.
“We are determined to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of COPD and we urge anyone who is concerned about their breathlessness to take our breath test.”
The issue was raised to mark World COPD Day 2021 on Wednesday.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are committed to improving care and outcomes for people with COPD and have a number of nationally led programmes in place.
“We have announced nearly £250m to support NHS recovery from the pandemic, which includes funding for chronic condition management in primary care. We would encourage people to use the COPD app developed by the NHS in Wales. It provides long-term support for people to help manage their condition and help people stay well, with advice, education and support.”