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Respiratory Health
14 November 2024
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
Karin Smyth
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 13410
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about respiratory health in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The hon. Member asks the Minister to confirm that respiratory health will be prioritised by the Government and to provide details on how the three shifts from the Darzi report will impact those with respiratory health issues. He also requests confirmation that spirometry testing, an essential diagnostic tool for asthma and COPD, will be rolled out widely, especially in deprived areas. The Member urges the Minister to review the national screening committee's guidance on COPD which has not been updated since 2019, and to ensure full support for implementing new guidelines on overprescribing of SABA inhalers.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The hon. Member for Strangford is concerned about the high mortality rates and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, noting that 7.2 million people have asthma while 3 million are affected by COPD in the UK. He highlights worrying figures showing poorly controlled respiratory disease results in a doubling of hospital admissions during winter, with COPD exacerbations being the second most common cause of emergency hospital admissions. The uptake of biologics for severe asthma is reported to be only 16% nationally, ranging from 2% to 29%, far below the expected target of 50-60%. Additionally, adults in the poorest 10% are more than two and a half times as likely to have COPD compared to the most affluent.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mr. Jogee expressed concern about the impact of air pollution on respiratory health in his constituency, particularly from Walleys Quarry landfill site. He cited a report indicating that more than 600,000 people live with undiagnosed COPD and that almost 5,000 people in Staffordshire were waiting beyond the national target to be seen by a respiratory doctor. Mr. Jogee also highlighted issues related to waste crime and its impact on air quality and respiratory health. Before being elected to the House, the speaker spent five years working with Ruth Jones on air quality issues and expressed a desire for a meeting with the hon. Gentleman to discuss progress. He pushed back on the previous Government's progress in tackling issues at Walleys Quarry, noting that his constituents continue to face daily effects from high hydrogen sulphide levels. He highlighted the impact on children and respiratory health of young lungs, which he believes is underdiscussed.
Redditch
As an asthma sufferer, Christopher Bloore highlighted the importance of annual clinician or GP reviews for asthma sufferers. He mentioned that many are not receiving these reviews and noted a concerning number of deaths due to asthma attacks. Additionally, he referenced the impact of Walleys Quarry on local air quality and respiratory health in his constituency.
Danny Chambers
Lib Dem
Winchester
Paying tribute to the work on respiratory health, Danny Chambers highlighted the importance of addressing air quality and poverty's impact. He mentioned that people in poverty are five times more likely to die from COPD and three times more likely from asthma. He also discussed the link between substandard housing and poor health outcomes, noting that the NHS spends about £1.5 billion annually on issues like damp and cold due to poor living conditions. Chambers advocated for vaccines as a cost-effective measure against respiratory diseases and antimicrobial resistance, raising concerns over a decline in NHS staff vaccinations this year compared to 2019. He further touched upon holistic approaches including smoking cessation, obesity management, and the importance of public health interventions such as improving food quality and free school meals.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Discussed respiratory health inequalities, noting elevated COPD rates in her constituency, which affect mobility and mental health. Emphasised the need for timely diagnoses and better public awareness of conditions like PCD, a genetic disorder with worse lung function than cystic fibrosis.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
The MP expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak on respiratory illness, citing his background in medicine. He acknowledged past contributions from various MPs regarding air quality, health inequalities, smoking, and specific conditions like pulmonary fibrosis. He highlighted the importance of holistic approaches involving housing, environment, smoking control, and comorbidities affecting older populations. The MP also discussed personal experience with respiratory issues and emphasised the critical nature of breathing in medical emergencies. He raised concerns about data recording and sharing across healthcare boundaries and questioned the Government on measures to enhance spirometry services and vaccine uptake.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Addressed pulmonary fibrosis's impact in her constituency, noting significant health inequalities. Highlighted the need for earlier diagnosis and access to specialist care closer to home, acknowledging the work of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust.
Government Response
Karin Smyth
Government Response
Responded to concerns about respiratory health by outlining the Government's initiatives such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation. Noted commitments to improving air quality through a clean air strategy, supporting household energy efficiency with £3.4 billion over three years, addressing health inequalities, enhancing NHS services for early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, and encouraging vaccination uptake.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.