Scots Demand Best Quality Treatment For COPD As Christmas Gift

Health Minister Andy Kerr will receive Christmas cards from active members of the British Lung Foundation, warning the executive about the poor quality of treatment offered to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients in Scotland.

The charity suggests that clinical standards be set, to ensure patients received the best quality treatment.

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a term that refers to a number of lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK. Around 33,000 Scots are reported to suffer from COPD and it claims a life every two hours, which is more than the number of deaths due to breast, bowel or prostate cancer.

Andrew Powrie-Smith, head of the British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: 'COPD is one of Scotland's biggest health problems and clinical standards would help improve the lives of thousands of Scots with the disease.

'We have the highest COPD rates in the UK yet still we are not taking positive steps to tackle the condition.

'Why should Scots with COPD not have access to the same standards of care as people in England?'

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According to records, COPD costs NHS Scotland £138m a year..

Campaigners want patients in Scotland to be granted the same rights as patients in England, where a nationwide standard is maintained for the care of COPD patients.

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The charity members plan to gather outside the Scottish Parliament with their assertive postcards before Christmas.

Source-Medindia
PRI/M