Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place the highest priority on provision of treatment for lung disease.

The Government’s Mandate to NHS England sets out the requirements for NHS England to improve outcomes in a range of areas, including preventing premature deaths from the biggest killers (including lung disease) and supporting people with long term physical and mental health conditions. It also requires NHS England to demonstrate progress on reducing mortality rates among patients with lung disease.

The NHS Outcomes Framework 2014/15 sets out the Department’s highest priority areas for the National Health Service and includes reducing deaths from lung disease as a key indicator.

Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease plays an important role in maximising the ability to manage the condition. NHS England is currently working with several pilot sites exploring different approaches to diagnosis for people with symptoms of breathlessness.