Transforming COPD Diagnosis in Wales

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most serious health challenges in Wales, responsible for more than 1,800 deaths and 12,000 emergency hospital admissions every year.[i] More than 50,000 people across Wales are thought to be living with undiagnosed COPD, often only discovering their condition following emergency hospitalisation.^[ii]

In response, Chiesi UK and Ireland have launched a new policy proposal, Ignore or Explore COPD? which outlines a vision for transforming COPD detection and diagnosis in Wales. Backed by Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and James Evans MS, the proposal calls on the Welsh Government to act now by integrating simple lung function tests (spirometry) and follow-up care plans into any future lung cancer screening programmes.

You can read the full report, here.  Welsh version here. 

 UK-CHI-2500586 | May 2025 

[i] Asthma + Lung UK. Saving Your Breath: How better lung health benefits everyone in Wales. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/saving-your-breath-how-better-lung-health-benefits-us-all-us-wales-english

[ii] Asthma + Lung UK. Delayed Diagnosis and Unequal Care. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-03/delayed-diagnosis-unequal-care.pdf