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Scottish Government Respiratory Action Plan launched

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 25th March 2021

The Plan sets out the vision for driving improvement in the diagnosis, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions.

The Scottish Government has launched the Respiratory Care Action Plan: 2021 – 2026, setting out the vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions in Scotland.

It identifies five key priorities for respiratory care, and is intended to be an ‘enabling’ document which will drive continuous improvement. The Plan does not replace current clinical guidance, but brings together good practice from across Scotland.

The ALLIANCE submitted a response to the consultation on Scotland’s draft Respiratory Care Action Plan in July 2020. We outlined that it is vital to treat respiratory health as a national clinical priority, particularly in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we asked for the Scottish Government to adopt mechanisms to ensure that lived experience of those affected by respiratory conditions, and the third sector organisations that work with them, were involved in the oversight of the strategy’s implementation. Taking consultation responses into account, the Scottish Government made changes to the draft Action Plan in several areas.

We therefore welcome the acknowledgement of the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 within the Plan and its commitment to engaging with the respiratory community to reflect the progress that has been made as well as addressing the additional challenges we now face.

A further implementation phase of the Plan will set out in detail how improvement will be achieved, and the Scottish Government intends to work in partnership with the respiratory community to implement commitments. To ensure the actions are relevant, the implementation programme will be fluid, and will evolve as the Scottish Government understanding of the impact of the pandemic grows.

The Action Plan is relevant for anyone in Scotland living with a respiratory condition, as well as anyone working within health and social care or the third sector. It also takes into account people who may not yet have a diagnosis, or are currently on a pathway to be seen by respiratory services.

You can read the full Action Plan via the Scottish Government website (this link will take you away from our website).  

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