There are nearly 900,000 people in the UK diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an umbrella term for a number of lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis). Unbelievably, only 1.7\% of these people have access to pulmonary rehabilitation, a programme that is proven to improve the quality of life of COPD patients and save the NHS money by reducing GP visits and days spent in hospital.

We, the undersigned, call on the UK Government to provide permanent and secure funding for pulmonary rehabilitation programmes across the UK.


JOIN THE BLF IN THEIR CAMPAIGN AND SIGN OUR PETITION!

This petition is part of the British Lung Foundations ongoing campaign for pulmonary rehabilitation - EXERCISING OUR RIGHT TO BREATHE. It will be handed over to 10 Downing Street during the Lung March on Sunday 13th June 2004. Local support groups around the UK will also be presenting petitions to their local MPs, Chief Executives of local NHS Trusts or Mayors during the BLFs Breathe Easy Awareness Week, 12th to19th June 2004.

Last year we collected over 20,000 signatures and petitioned the UK Government. Our petition called for the availability of lightweight portable oxygen, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation for those in need of it. As a result of our campaigning, the Department of Health responded to one of our demands by announcing that a government review would take place into oxygen provision. Whilst celebrating this great success, the issue of pulmonary rehabilitation provision was still ignored so this year the focus will be on the permanent and secure funding for pulmonary rehabilitation programmes across the UK.

The British Lung Foundation
On average one person in every family is affected by lung disease, with over 150,000 deaths a year in the UK attributed to it. The British Lung Foundation is the only charity in the UK dedicated to dealing with issues relating to all 43 lung diseases. It aims to continue its fight against lung disease by campaigning, funding world class medical research, providing clear, accurate information and by offering practical support

Its Breathe Easy club is the UKs only support network for people with any lung condition, their family, friends, carers and health professionals. There are over 100 local Breathe Easy groups throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Breathe Easy Week forms part of the Foundations ongoing campaign to make lung disease more visible and to make the voices of those with lung conditions heard.

To find out more about the British Lung Foundation and Breathe Easy Week visit www.lunguk.org, or contact jo.bloom@blf-uk.org