Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has highlighted the benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation for those with chronic chest disorders

A charity wants to see greater support for those with long-term chest conditions.

To mark National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week (18-25 June), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is calling for more people in Scotland to have better access to pulmonary rehabilitation.

It believes the treatment is one of the cheapest and most effective for people living with chest conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - but at present is not always available to people in Scotland

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education for people with chest conditions to help them relieve their symptoms and cope better with the impact of their health condition has on their lives.

Last year, a report from CHSS on pulmonary rehabilitation in Scotland showed patchy provision and significant challenges regarding the awareness of the benefits of PR for people living with chest conditions. It found at least 60,000 people are not getting the pulmonary rehabilitation they could benefit from.

Jill Adams, specialist services manager at CHSS, said: “If this was about a medicine or drug that needed to be available for people there would be a national scandal about the postcode lottery of being able to access it.

“We support people every day living with long term chest conditions and have seen the benefits that PR can bring. The fact that it isn’t available to anyone who needs it in Scotland is something that needs addressing.”