Q & A

Here’s the answers to questions you might have about the Taskforce.

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Why is a Taskforce for Lung Health needed?

Alongside heart disease and non-respiratory cancer, lung disease is one of the UK’s three biggest killers. While mortality from heart disease and many non-respiratory cancers is falling, the number of people killed each year by lung disease is staying the same.

There are some good quality and effective services in England, but we lag behind other European countries, with half a million people dying from lung conditions in the UK over a 7-year period. Not enough progress is being made and we believe more can, and should, be done to improve lung health.

The Taskforce brings together the most influential voices in lung health from across the country to unite behind a mission to transform the care of people with lung conditions. You can read more out about members here.

Is the Taskforce independent of government?

Yes, the group is independent of government. NHS RightCare, an NHS England supported programme, is a member of the Taskforce, providing their expertise about delivering the best care to patients, making NHS money go as far as possible and improving patient outcomes. 

What is the objective of the Taskforce?

The objective of the Taskforce is to enhance the lives of people with living conditions. We are committed to building upon the progress we have already made and ensuring that chronic lung disease is a priority for the Government and NHS England. Going forward we will focus on engaging with political stakeholders and high-level policy goals to ensure that we can facilitate system change and make a lasting positive impact on the lives of people with lung diseases.

What is the key change that the Taskforce wants to see happen?

Our plan to improve lung health is outlined in our ‘Saving Your Breath’ report. This report makes it clear that there are huge savings to be made in improving the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. The changes provided in this report would have a huge positive impact of people living with chronic respiratory disease. To improve lung health across all services these recommendations must be implemented in full by all relevant bodies, including NHS England and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

How is this Taskforce different from anything that has existed previously?

More representatives than ever before, from across the respiratory community, are teaming up to understand how to improve lung health. That’s different to anything that has existed before. You can find out more about the Taskforce’s journey and our remarkable achievements over the last 5 years here.

How are patients involved in the Taskforce?

There are 16 people representing those living with a lung condition on the Taskforce, and 1 person representing carers. Taskforce member organisations, including Asthma + Lung UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, British Thoracic Society, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Mesothelioma UK, Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust, Sarcoidosis UK, and the UK Lung Cancer Coalition, represent and work regularly with people affected by lung disease.

What is Asthma + Lung UK’s role in the Taskforce?

The Taskforce is owned by the members, which include Asthma + Lung UK (previously known as the British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK). In addition, Asthma + Lung UK provides the secretariat: employing four policy officers, the chair and vice-chair of the Taskforce and a senior policy and project manager.

How is the pharmaceutical industry involved?

Representatives from pharmaceutical, diagnostics, devices and digital industries make up an Industries Forum that contributes to the work of the Taskforce. The Industries Forum has no editorial control over the activities of the Taskforce or Working Groups. A number of the members of the Industries Forum provide financial backing to the Taskforce.

Hasn’t lung health recently been made a priority issue for the NHS?

Yes, the Government has recognised the importance of lung health in the Major Conditions Strategy, with chronic respiratory disease as one of the six health conditions included. This strategy is set to be published in early 2024. The NHSE’s Long Term Plan also identifies respiratory disease as a clinical priority.

What does the NHS Long-Term Plan set out for lung health?

The NHS plan focuses on four main areas for lung health. First of all, it proposes new ways of getting diagnosis right. This means that when people go to their GP with breathlessness or a cough that won’t go away, they should be referred for the right tests as quickly as possible. Secondly, it wants health care workers to support people to manage their own condition, so they can keep doing the things that are important to them. Thirdly, the plan recommends making pulmonary rehabilitation available to people who need it. Fourthly, it emphasises the need to make sure people are on the right medicines for them and that they are taking these in the right way. Finally, the new plan also covers prevention and commits more money to help people in hospital quit smoking and promises to reduce the amount of air pollution which is caused by the NHS.

It’s a positive start but the plan doesn’t go far enough. The Taskforce is focused on influencing policy makers and services to make sure all of the Taskforce’s recommendations are put in place.

Why has the Taskforce established Working Groups?

When the Taskforce was established in 2018 members believed that separate working group should be established, made up of members of the Taskforce and Industries Forum with relevant expertise. Going forward the Taskforce will focus on the three key themes: diagnosis, access to treatment and workforce. These themes and corresponding working groups were chosen as members believed they would drive forward improvements in care for people with lung disease. You can read more about the working groups here.