§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts offer(a) pulmonary rehabilitation and (b) domiciliary respiratory physiotherapy; and how many patients are undergoing such treatment in each. [138040]
§ Dr. Ladyman[holding answer 11 November 2003]This information is not held centrally. However, a survey carried out earlier this year by the British Lung Foundation and British Thoracic Society found that 160 out of 266 hospitals across the country provide some form of pulmonary rehabilitation to lung patients.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is currently developing a guideline on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary and secondary care. It is expected that the guideline will be published in February 2004.