The Respiratory Health Implementation Group was established in 2014 to support the development and strategic direction for primary, community and secondary care respiratory services in Wales as set out in the Welsh Government’s National Delivery Plan.
Our members include expert clinicians from primary and secondary care, exec leads, public health, informatics, as well as patient representatives and third sector.
Our overarching aims are to reduce inappropriate variation in diagnosis and treatment and to share best practice.
Respiratory illness is a significant issue in Wales. In 2016/17, eight per cent of the Welsh population reported having a respiratory condition, and respiratory diseases caused just over 15 per cent of deaths in 2016.
Wales has the highest prevalence of asthma in Europe, with 6.9% of adults and 9.5% children being treated for the condition.