‘Major concerns’ over care for lung disease sufferers

THERE are “major concerns” over the care given to patients with a disease that causes scarring in the lungs.

Some 2,100 people in Wales live with a condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibroses (IPF) which often leads to difficulty breathing.

The scarring from the disease fills the lacey gaps between and around small areas of the lungs called air sacs, and in doing so limits the amount of oxygen that gets into the blood.

To mark IPF Week, which runs from September 16 to 22, the British Lung Foundation (BLF) has launched a new report, called Map for Better Care, which sets out a guide to dramatically improve access to services, treatments and support for patients “failed by a fragmented health system”.

On Wednesday the BLF will be at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay discussing the disease and report with politicians, healthcare professionals and patients.

The aim will be to find out how services can be improved in Wales.

Joseph Carter, head of BLF Wales, said: “There is still a huge difference between the type of care patients receive in each health board – this is simply not acceptable

“Our report makes several recommendations to end neglect of patients.

“This includes improving access to personalised treatments, diagnose and support, including antifibrotic drugs, specialist nurses, multi-disciplinary diagnosis and more.

“This is why we will be talking to politicians on Wednesday about our new report – we need to take action now”.

Around 32,500 people are living with the IPF in the UK, and every year around 5,300 die.

The Welsh Government introduced a specialist service in south Wales to support the management of people with interstitial lung diseases.

They said it has led to a significant reduction in referral to diagnosis.

A similar team is about to start work in north Wales.