HEALTH campaigners called for better lung diagnosis in Wales today, claiming this could save many lives and millions of pounds.

Lung conditions are the third biggest killer in Wales, and Asthma + Lung Cymru is calling for better diagnosis to help people get the care they need and the establishment of easily accessible respiratory diagnostic hubs across Wales.

Wales has a high number of people with respiratory conditions because of its industrial heritage, particularly coalmining. 

The charity said its new report, Early Detection, Better Outcomes: Neighbourhood Respiratory Diagnostics, shows that offering local testing can bring efficient and effective services closer to people with lung conditions.

Plaid Cymru’s health spokesman, Manon ap Gwynfor, said his party would bring care into the community so that people are diagnosed in a timely and efficient manner.

A Welsh government spokesperson said it recognised the importance of early diagnosis and improved management of chronic lung conditions. 

“We are working with the NHS to develop new models of care delivery, such as breathlessness hubs, and new contracting arrangements for better community provision of diagnostic tests,” the spokesperson said.