WORLD CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE DAY 2003

Early day motion 194, tabled 3 December 2003 by Howard Stoate (Labour). Signed by 50 members.

That this House welcomes the survey and report, Breathing Fear, from the British Lung Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; regrets that COPD is the only major cause of death on the increase with an estimated three million sufferers in Britain and over 30,000 deaths every year; notes that acute exacerbations of symptoms are common in COPD and often lead to hospitalisation and 50 per cent. of those who survive their first admission will be back there in six months; further regrets that some 100,000 hospital admissions were recorded for COPD in England in 2000; is concerned that the most recent statistics for 1997 estimated the annual cost of COPD to the NHS at more than ú800 million - equating to approximately ú1.3 million per 100,000 population; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to ensure that COPD and respiratory disease is given appropriate prominence in terms of chronic disease management to reduce life-threatening exacerbations, improve patients' quality of life and relieve the major burden on the NHS.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.