Each year, the economic burden to the NHS of all lung conditions (including lung cancer) is estimated at around £11 billion: COPD accounts for £1.9bn and asthma for £3bn. The Household Survey also found that among those with a respiratory condition 84 per cent of people were prescribed at least one medicine, and 55 per cent were prescribed three or more.1,2

The NHS Long Term Plan makes several commitments around respiratory care, including:1

·       supporting the training of staff to deliver tests such as spirometry to improve early and accurate diagnosis of respiratory diseases

·       expanding pulmonary rehabilitation services across the country

·       improving medicines prescribing including reviews, and supporting patients to use their inhalers properly

·       designing services to help patients better manage their own conditions.

Pulmonary rehabilitation combines both physical exercises and patient education on respiratory conditions, usually delivered as a group programme over 6-8 weeks. It is particularly intended for people who are severely breathless, such as those with COPD or other long-term lung conditions such as bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis.5

As well as improving muscle strength for the body to use oxygen more efficiently, it helps people to cope better when they feel out of breath.