Finding lung disease early
Summary
Early and accurate diagnosis of lung disease is critical.
We can make a big difference by identifying more people at risk of lung disease earlier and making sure they get the right treatment and support when they need it.
What’s the issue?
People with suspected lung disease have to wait too long to be diagnosed. Too much time passes between appointments. A delayed or inaccurate diagnosis means people don’t get the treatment they need and can end up in hospital unnecessarily. For people with aggressive lung disease a delayed diagnosis means they can’t make the most of the time they have left.
How do we solve it?
- We want everybody, from GPs to nurses and pharmacists, to know exactly what steps to take in possible cases of lung disease.
- We need set waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, just like other conditions, such as cancer.
- We want health care professionals in different parts of the NHS to be able to share information quickly and accurately
Our vision for the future
We’ll see more people able to begin treatment earlier, with care designed to meet their needs and personal circumstances. For those diseases where we don’t yet have effective treatments, people will know what is wrong with them quickly and be able to plan the rest of their lives with the right support
“If I had received help earlier, especially from respiratory physios, I am sure some of the damage and perhaps also the pseudomonas infections could have been avoided.”
Liz Ames, living with bronchiectasis and chronic pseudomonas infection
What's the issue?
Many patients with difficult or severe asthma don’t get the care and support they need. That’s because they are not referred to a specialist, who can give them the treatment and advice they need to manage their condition.
How do we solve it?
- We need a single, consistent guideline to diagnose and manage asthma.
- Cases of difficult or severe asthma should always be referred to a specialist.
Our vision for the future
We’ll see more people with difficult or severe asthma able to manage their condition and do the things they want to do.
“I know I’ve got cancer and it is scary, but I’d rather know. I know what I’m dealing with and I’d rather know now than in a few months or years when it will be too late. I honestly feel as though this lung health check has saved my life.”
Michael Brady, living with COPD and lung cancer