I am supporting the British Lung Foundation‘s (BLF) campaign to for the creation of a taskforce for lung health.

Unfortunately, the need for this taskforce is greater than ever, as progress in this area has been slow.

In its report, ‘Battle for Breath’, the British Lung Foundation highlights the wide variation in treatment and care across the country.  It raises serious concerns about the long-term neglect, under-prioritisation and under-investment in research, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease.  Furthermore, it estimates that lung disease costs the British economy £11 billion every year.

I was also concerned to read in the report that there are wide variations in treatment and care across the UK, which creates a postcode lottery for patients.  These health inequalities need to be tackled, with all patients receiving the highest possible quality of care.

I believe that the Government must produce a credible and comprehensive strategy to minimise the prevalence of lung diseases in Britain.  This is why I have written to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and called on him to establish the taskforce that is necessary for tackling the enduring problem of poor lung health.