The British Thoracic Society (BTS), the leading membership body for respiratory healthcare professionals, has welcomed the release of the 10 Year Health Plan for England and its focus on prevention, integrated community services and digital innovation.
Respiratory disease remains a key driver of health inequalities, which the 10 Year Health Plan seeks to address. One in five people in the UK needs treatment for a lung condition in their lifetime, and respiratory illnesses disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities. BTS urges the Government to prioritise improvements in services for people with lung conditions.
Dr Richard Russell, Chair of the British Thoracic Society, said:
“The NHS 10 Year Health Plan provides the respiratory community with opportunities to develop and lead change to improve respiratory care across England. The plan makes clear the link between deprivation and disease, with a focus on respiratory problems.
Smoking cessation is front and centre, and examples are given where joined up approaches to care improve respiratory health. The key themes (analogue to digital, hospital the community, sickness to prevention) are aligned with both the causes and the treatment of respiratory disease and we must not miss this chance to champion respiratory medicine and our patients in the new NHS for England and Wales.
BTS will be working towards this goal, and I encourage you all to develop plans and engage with colleagues and commissioners to make respiratory diseases a priority.”