NHS A&A patients waiting up to seven months for lung condition programme

There are concerns about how long people in Ayrshire with lung conditions are waiting for specialist treatment.

Pulmonary Rehab is a series of exercises to help patients manage their breathing and is described as life changing.

But in Ayrshire, the waiting list for the programme is up to seven months long.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland estimates that 70,000 people in Scotland would benefit from Pulmonary Rehab, but there’s currently only capacity for less than 6,000 people.

Hazel Crombie was diagnosed with COPD in 2003. She said: “If it wasn’t for Pulmonary Rehab I would have been stuck at home. I got myself stuck in a rut and I had to get out.

“It’s made a huge difference to my life. It helped me deal with the condition and build my confidence. Everyone needs access to this kind of support.”

Dorothy Keith was also diagnosed with COPD in 2009. She says that Pulmonary Rehabilitation turned her life around: “Pulmonary rehabilitation was the making of me basically, it really was. I was 6 years into having COPD before I was asked if I wanted to do this.

“I had to then wait another 18 months before I got into a class but it turned my life around, absolutely turned my life around.”

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, welcomed the fact that MSPs unanimously supported improving access to the Pulmonary Rehab, but called for that to move to action and funding to deliver equal and universal access. She said: “Right now in Scotland over 60,000 people with chest conditions like COPD are missing out on the chance to breathe better and live life to the full.

“It was good to see MSPs unanimously vote to improve access to pulmonary rehab in April; we now need to see how that commitment will be followed through in practice by the Scottish Government – that means plans and budgets.

“We have produced clear ideas on how to deliver a universal Right to Pulmonary Rehab. These ideas need to be part of the Scottish Government’s Respiratory Care Action Plan.

“People with COPD in Scotland deserve the right to access Pulmonary Rehab. It’s a treatment that helps people with this incurable condition make more memories with those they love.

“Through investing in Pulmonary Rehab, we have an opportunity to tackle our poor record on lung health, reduce hospital admissions due to COPD and save the NHS money.”

The charity is now calling for a clear plan and a budget commitment to be included in the Scottish Government’s upcoming Respiratory Care Action Plan.

There is free advice line for those who believe they could benefit from the programme – 0808 801 0899.