WORLD CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE DAY 2004

Early day motion 100, tabled 23 November 2004 by Howard Stoate (Labour). Signed by 115 members.

That this House welcomes the third annual World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day on 17th November which aims to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) across the world; regrets that COPD is the only major cause of death on the increase in the UK with an estimated three million sufferers and more than 30,000 deaths a year; further regrets that an estimated 100,000 hospital admissions were recorded for COPD in England in 2000, equating to around one million bed days; recognises the importance of effective management of COPD in primary care to improve patients' quality of life and reduce unnecessary hospitalisations; calls for the full implementation of the NICE Guideline recommendations such as early diagnosis with spirometry testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, non-invasive ventilation therapy and access to a multi-disciplinary healthcare team; supports the efforts of the British Lung Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline in highlighting the benefits of these services for improving outcomes for patients and reducing the major burden on the NHS; urges honourable Members to contact and liaise with their local primary care trusts or health boards to ensure these services are available to their constituents; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to ensure that COPD and respiratory disease is given appropriate prominence in the NHS.

Signatures by party: Labour 45, Conservative 41, Liberal Democrat 15, Labour/Co-operative 6, DUP 4, UUP 2, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1.