Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce mortality rates for people diagnosed with lung diseases.

The 2016/17 mandate to NHS England includes objectives to reduce premature mortality, including reducing early deaths (i.e. deaths under 75) from respiratory illness.

The NHS Outcomes Framework 2016/17 sets out the Department’s priority areas for the National Health Service and includes reducing early deaths from respiratory disease as a key indicator.

In July 2011, the Department published an outcomes strategy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in England, which sets out six high-level objectives to improve outcomes in these areas through high quality prevention, detection, treatment and care services. In August 2012, we set out how the NHS could implement changes at a local level through the NHS Companion Document to the strategy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published quality standards for both COPD and asthma setting out the markers of high-quality, cost-effective care. Implementation of the NICE quality standards will raise the standard of care people receive. NICE has also published quality standards on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis pneumonia. NICE is also developing clinical guidelines on asthma diagnosis and monitoring.

Individuals requiring specialist respiratory treatment have access to a number of related services which are commissioned by NHS England, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. Further information and a copy of the relevant service specifications can be found on NHS England’s website and accessed via the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-a/a01/

Today, Public Health England launched the national Be Clear on Cancer campaign, focusing on the key respiratory symptoms of a persistent cough and inappropriate breathlessness and encouraging people with these symptoms to see their doctor.

Diagnosing lung and heart disease early makes them more treatable. This can help tackle premature mortality – for example, around 68% of lung cancer patients in England are diagnosed at a late stage 1, when curative treatment is not possible. Earlier diagnosis can also help with the management of some conditions, such as COPD, and thereby improve the quality of life for people living with them.