Lung disease patients 'failed' by system, says charity

People suffering with a debilitating lung disease are being "failed by a fragmented health system", according to the British Lung Foundation.

Treatment for patients affected by Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) needs to be improved, according to the charity. It said Welsh Government had failed to act on a report it had published into the condition last year.

IPF is a disease that causes scarring in the lungs. The scarring fills the lacey gaps between and around small areas of the lungs called air sacs, and in doing so limits the amount of oxygen that gets into the blood. This means that those living with the condition have difficulty breathing.

Henry Stead, from Bridgend County, has had IPF for five years and first suspected something was wrong in 2010. Initially he was diagnosed with pigeon lung, and it wasn't until two years ago he was diagnosed with IPF.

Because he smoked and kept pigeons doctors say this could be a contributing factor, however they aren't sure.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government says its respiratory health plan recognises the importance of "timely and expert care" for Interstitial Lung Disease such as IPF.