AM Blow's Whistle on Lung Disease

10.42.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jan 2008

Local AM for Brecon & Radnorshire Kirsty Williams has signed up to the British Lung Foundation's 12 point Charter calling for better diagnosis, treatment and support for all people affected by lung disease.

Kirsty said: "I have signed up to the charter to show my support for the foundation's campaign seeking to 'Blow the Whistle on Lung Disease'. The campaign will raise awareness of respiratory disease and highlight areas where services need to be developed.

"4 out of 5 adults with long-term lung disease do not know they have it and with more than 33,000 people in the UK dying each year from lung cancer this is an important issue that needs to be high up on the Assembly Government's agenda."

"I would encourage as many people as possible to sign up to this worthwhile campaign by following the links to the charter from www.lunguk.org/media-and-campaigning and help make lung disease a priority."

Notes:

THE BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION CHARTER

The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. This is our twelve point Charter for better diagnosis, treatment and care for people affected by lung disease.

1. Governments in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should make lung disease a priority. This should include developing and implementing national standards for major chronic lung diseases such as COPD, asthma and sleep apnoea

2. The public and health professionals should be more aware of the causes, signs and symptoms of lung disease and less judgmental towards people affected by it

3. People with lung disease should receive an accurate and early diagnosis

4. The current postcode lottery of treatment and care for people with lung disease should be addressed and ended

5. Local health and social services should provide high quality community support for people with lung disease to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and maximize their independence in all areas of life

6. Children with lung disease should receive local, specialised respiratory care in both a hospital and community setting

7. People who need oxygen therapy should have an efficient home oxygen

service including access to lightweight portable oxygen

8. Pulmonary rehabilitation and follow-up exercise classes tailored for people with lung disease should be easily accessible to all who need them

9. High quality information and support should be easily available to all those affected by lung disease at all stages of the disease

10. People with lung disease should have the opportunity to be more involved in local NHS service development

11. People with lung disease should have a choice of high quality palliative and end of life care

12. Research into lung disease should be increased in proportion to the

number of people affected by lung conditions.

For more information on the British Lung Foundation call 020 7688 5563 or emailing campaigns@blf-uk.org.