Two national charities are calling on the Scottish government to improve support for people living with lung conditions in Scotland’s most deprived areas, as the group most likely to end up in hospital this winter fighting for breath.

Data from last winter reveals that people living in the most deprived areas with lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had almost seven times the hospital admission rate of those in the least deprived areas.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Asthma + Lung UK Scotland have said this “concerning” difference spotlights health inequalities.

As people living in the most deprived communities in Scotland are also more likely to die in winter, the charities are urging Scotland better support people in poverty living with COPD.

Over a third of people living with long term chest conditions, including COPD, surveyed by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said they had to cut back on essentials due to the cost-of-living crisis, with one in five repoting that their condition made it hard for them to work at all.

Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: 

“These figures show clearly the impact of poverty on people living with long-term conditions.

“Our own research illustrates how many people living with long-term chest conditions struggle to work, and as a result find themselves in a position of cutting back on essentials such as heating their homes.

“This is particularly concerning for people living with COPD as we move into winter as the condition can be exacerbated by cold and damp weather, resulting in increased GP appointments and hospital admissions. 

“The government needs to do more to ensure that people with long-term conditions living in poverty are supported to manage their health in the best way they can.

“Supporting people to manage their conditions can reduce GP and hospital visits and therefore reduces pressure on the NHS.”

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland also found that more than half of Scots living with long-term chest conditions needed support that they weren’t able to access.

Linda McLeod was diagnosed with COPD 20 years ago and now chairs the Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire support group for people with respiratory illnesses.

She said she is “very aware of the dangers” winter brings, and does what she can do protect herself, but that triggers like wood smoke and car pollution are worse in winter.

The charities say that Scotland’s respiratory care plan needs to be fully implemented to improve diagnoses, better fund smoking cessation work, and ensure people with COPD can access fundamental care.

A recent survey by Asthma + Lung UK Scotland found only 5% of people in Scotland with COPD were receiving essential COPD care, a drop from 2023 when it was 9%.

With COPD emergency admissions reaching their height during winter, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said the government must make treating COPD and other lung conditions a priority in its winter plans.

Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland Joseph Carter said, as lung-related emergency admissions are a “major part of winter pressures”, improving care now will help both patients and the NHS:

“Scotland has one of the worst death rates from lung conditions in Europe, which must change urgently.

“Struggling to breathe can be a terrifying and debilitating experience – it’s unacceptable that people living in our poorest communities with COPD are at greater risk of ending up in hospital fighting for their life.

“Only by ensuring that people with COPD get an early diagnosis, access to the treatment and support they need can we reduce pressure on our hospitals and reach the point where good lung health is a basic right enjoyed by all regardless of income.”

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