Respiratory Health

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.