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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 8 December 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 December 2020. It was answered by Lord Bethell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 January 2021 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Respiratory Diseases: Health Services

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to pulmonary fibrosis patients whose treatment was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic some clinics were suspended but rapidly reinstated and recommendations to continue specialised clinic work in the second wave has been issued. Patients have continued to be both identified and treated.

While such lung function measurements are aerosol generating procedures, advice was circulated by The Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology to ensure such patients were investigated.

For those patients already receiving treatment the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines were relaxed to ensure continuation of the drugs and to allow initiation of new therapies.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11227
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Health services Disease control Respiratory diseases Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk