Over two fifths of patients needing treatment for lung diseases claim that they face a postcode lottery, a survey has found.
Research by the British Lung Foundation (BLF), which questioned 3,200 patients, found that many patients are concerned by the apparent low priority given to respiratory illnesses by the NHS.
Forty-three per cent of respondents reported a postcode lottery of treatment, while 35 per cent called for the shortfall in specialist respiratory radiologists, nurses and physiotherapists to be addressed.
Dame Helena Shovelton, the charity's chief executive, commented: "We wholeheartedly welcome the smoking ban as a huge step forward in the prevention of smoking-related lung disease, but improvements are also needed in the diagnosis, treatment and care of all respiratory problems and we must not allow ignorance and blame to prevent that."
Smoking is one of the major causes of lung diseases such as lung cancer, but there are over 40 other lung conditions, including asbestos-related cancer, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
The BLF has launched Breathe Easy Week to highlight the problems faced by people needing care for respiratory illnesses such as
lung cancer treatment.
© Adfero Ltd
Treatment news : 12/06/2007
