Cross Party Group on Lung Health
Grŵp Trawsbleidiol ar Iechyd yr Ysgyfaint
Meeting 25.11.2025
9.30am
Attendees:
MSs:
- John Griffiths MS (Chair)
Other Attendees:
• Bec Miller – Asthma + Lung UK Cymru
(secretariat)
• Dave Edwards – Hywel Dda Health Board
• Esme Allen Asthma+ Lung UK Cymru
• Frankie Toner – Chiesi
• Jonathan Morgan – ASM
• Joseph Carter – Asthma + Lung UK Cymru
• Kimberley Lewis – PTHB, Therapies and
Sciences
• Lou Williams – ASH Wales
• Philip Webb – 360 Ltd
• Sarah Conner – Hywel Dda UHB, Occupational
Therapist
• Sarah Taylor –Member Support Staff
• Stephanie Phillips Morgan – patient
volunteer
• Val Maidment - patient volunteer
1. Welcome and Introductions
· John Griffiths MS welcomed attendees and outlined meeting etiquette.
· Attendees were asked to mute microphones and use the chat for questions.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
· No objections raised; minutes from May were approved.
3. Matters Arising
· Bec Miller reported:
o The group had written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care regarding previous discussions.
4. Presentation 1: Winter Pressures & Life for Lung Conditions Survey (Joseph Carter, Asthma + Lung UK Cymru)
Survey Overview:
Joseph explained that each year Asthma + Lung UK surveys supporters for across the country who live with lung conditions. This year the survey had 9,438 UK respondents; 576 from Wales.
Key findings:
o 7.1% in severe material deprivation; 8.9% in material deprivation.
o 25% rated general health as bad/very bad; 70% had another long-term condition.
o Loneliness linked to breathlessness; 22% often lonely.
o Basic asthma care plateaued (~33%); COPD care very low (5.6%).
o 20% used emergency/unplanned care; deprivation linked to higher admissions.
o 77% said air pollution worsens lung health; strong support for stricter action.
Winter Pressures:
Joseph explained that respiratory admissions are 40% higher in winter with 18,000 emergency admissions across Wales.
o COPD admissions: 3x higher in poorest areas.
o Winter Health Guide campaign reached 15.4M people; 41% of users avoided A&E, saving NHS £1.6M (estimated £88M UK-wide).
o New campaign: “We’re with you all winter” – strong imagery, QR code for guide download.
Questions and Answers:
Philip Webb: Highlighted UN discussions on indoor air quality; urged coordinated action on prevention in homes, schools, and public spaces.
Joseph Carter: Agreed; shared concerns about indoor pollution and infant health.
Bec Miller: Plugged Cross-Party Group on Clean Air for ongoing discussions.
Dave Edwards: Raised challenges in addressing poor social housing at patient level.
Philip Webb: Emphasised need for trained professionals and cross-sector collaboration; poor housing costs NHS £4.08B/year UK-wide.
Val Maidment: Asked about implementing Wales’s respiratory quality statement.
Joseph Carter: Concerned about lack of written implementation plan; petition ongoing.
Philip Webb (follow-up): Suggested inviting Rosamund Kissi-Debrah to Wales; shared London’s £2.7M indoor air quality programme.
Bec Miller: Stressed Welsh Government has devolved powers to act; urged advocacy ahead of Senedd elections.
5. Presentation 2: Diagnosis of Lung Conditions (Bec Miller- Asthma + Lung UK Cymru)
Bec explained that diagnosis is the foundation for good care and reducing winter pressures.
o Misdiagnosis: ~750,000 people wrongly diagnosed with asthma UK-wide.
o Lack of targets and data transparency in Wales; quality statement exists but no implementation plan.
o Wales has worst lung disease mortality in Western Europe (3x higher than Finland).
o Economic Impact:
o Lung disease costs Wales ~£800M annually; better diagnosis could save £12M economy-wide.
Bec outlined the following solutions:
o Establish neighbourhood diagnostic hubs (spirometry, FeNO, peak flow diaries).
o Improve data collection and public reporting.
o Share best practice from pilots (Cardiff & Vale, Powys, London, Southampton).
Questions and Answers:
o Kimberley Lewis (Powys): Offered support and shared that Powys Teaching Health Board already runs spirometry and diagnostic hubs across the county, including a new asthma hub offering FeNO, reversibility testing, and peak flow diary interpretation. She volunteered to help other health boards with planning or development.
6. Next Meeting and Work Ahead
· Bec Miller confirmed the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 at 9:30am where we would be looking ahead to the Senedd Election in May.
· The next meeting will be the last meeting of the CPG before the election.
7. Any Other Business
· No additional items raised.
· John Griffiths MS thanked all speakers and attendees and closed the meeting.