The Scottish government has published proposals to improve care for people with respiratory conditions.

The draft Respiratory Care Action Plan sets out priorities for the diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people in Scotland living with asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

The authors of the plan, led by Tayside respiratory physician, Dr Tom Fardon, say they want to stimulate the evolution of new ideas, build on what already works, challenge existing ‘traditional’ models, and introduce ‘innovative ideas to improve health outcomes and equity of access to high quality care’.

By the close of the consultation period at the start of April, the government says it hopes to have had responses from across the ‘respiratory community’ of people living with respiratory conditions, their families and carers, those who provide care and support, practitioners, clinicians, academics, NHS Boards, Integration Authorities, third sector and independent care providers.

The consultation responses will inform a final version of the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland and an accompanying implementation plan, to be published later next year.