For the first time, earlier this month pulmonary fibrosis was raised as a key issue in a parliamentary debate, with MPs calling on the government to improve care for those affected by pulmonary fibrosis in the UK.
Key points:
This vital discussion was brought to parliament by Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, who is the Chair of the Across-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Lung Health. We express our gratitude to MPs Liz Twist and Michelle Welsh, who both spoke passionately about the challenges facing those with pulmonary fibrosis, and who highlighted the vital role of organisations like APF in providing support, advocacy, and information.
Moving personal highlights:
- Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood Forest, shared a deeply personal and moving account of her own family’s experience with PF. Speaking about her father’s struggle with the condition, Michelle conveyed the toll it takes not only on patients but also on their loved ones in “drastically changing their lives”. Michelle emphasised that in her own experience, PF “lacks a focus that it desperately needs” within healthcare provisions and expressed the hope that this debate will “pave the way for significant strides forward”. Michelle also took the opportunity to directly acknowledge the work of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in “bringing together the community to implement a new pathway to improve many of the issues”. Michelle shared a recording of her speech on X. Thank you to Michelle for championing this work and for encouraging the NHS to focus on the implementation of the new Integrated Care Pathway for ILD.
- Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon and Consett, began by thanking the work of APF and emphasising the critical need for "access to timely diagnoses and appropriate clinical pathways.” She highlighted that despite this being vital for ensuring that people get the best possible treatment, access to care varies between conditions and areas of the UK. We thank her for echoing our call to the government to address inequalities by improving the provision of respiratory care within communities.
- Jim Shannon MP raised some important points about the need for updated national guidelines in the UK in the face of high rates of lung disease and the sheer number of unmet needs. APF will eagerly await the APPG’s investigation into silicosis (a type of PF caused by exposure to artificial stone dust), which Jim announced during the debate.
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What happens next?
- The debate highlighted the need for continued government investment in community care and support services for respiratory diseases. MPs from all sides of the House voiced their commitment to working together to ensure that the needs of those living with respiratory health issues are met. Through the work of our Policy and Public Affairs team, we will continue to make sure that the voice of those affected by pulmonary fibrosis are heard in these vital discussions.
APF expresses its sincere thanks to the Members of Parliament who stood up to promote APF and shout about the essential changes needed to improve PF care in the UK.