The government has just published its 10-year health plan, aiming to transform how health and care services are delivered in England.
For people living with lung conditions this plan could mark a big shift in how people get the care they need in the NHS.
An opportunity for change
We know that over the last decade that care has deteriorated. Time and again lung conditions have failed to get the attention and commitments needed to improve diagnosis, care and support. The 10-year health plan is an opportunity to change things.
We’re going to fight to make sure that this new health plan has a real impact on lung health care in England. Sign up to hear more about this soon and how you can get involved.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the key themes within the plan and what they might mean for you.
Prevention over cure
The plan aims to shift the NHS from simply treating illness to preventing it, which is so important for lung diseases. To help make this happen we need to change the things that cause lung disease like air pollution and poor housing, as well as better diagnosis and proactive care. At the moment we have the highest rates of lung disease in Europe and the diagnosis of lung conditions is really poor. This could be the chance to turn things around.
Care closer to home
The government wants to move more care out of hospitals and into local neighbourhoods, meaning better support from GPs, community nurses, and local health teams. If this works it could lead to fewer trips to hospital for those with lung conditions, especially over the winter months.
Digital transformation
The plan has a focus on improving digital tools for self-management, and online access to advice and support. This could help you manage your condition at home, with more advice and follow-up care available online or via your local GP. But we know that people who can’t use digital services must not be left behind.
Tackling inequalities
There’s a strong commitment to reducing premature deaths within poorer communities, who often face greater health problems and find it harder to access good healthcare locally. Lung conditions are a key driver of the difference in life expectancy between the wealthiest and poorest communities, so this is extremely welcome news.
We still need to fight for real change
This 10-year health plan has only just been published and there are still lots of details to work through. But it’s clear that there are opportunities to improve outcomes for people living with lung conditions.
However, we know that we’re going to have to fight to ensure that lung health gets the attention it deserves. There’s a big difference between a promising plan and the real-life experience for people living with lung conditions. We want to see real change.
For now, we hope that this helps you understand what the 10-year health plan might mean for those with lung conditions.
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