Chamber and committees

I am committed to ensuring that people with respiratory conditions receive timely access to high-quality care and treatment to enable them to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.

The Respiratory Specialty Delivery Group, within the Centre for Sustainable Delivery is developing a number of national pathways for conditions including COPD, severe asthma, bronchiectasis and sleep apnoea. This work aims to improve referral processes, support earlier intervention and ensure that patients receive the right care, in the right place and at the right time.

We are also improving access to respiratory services, including pulmonary rehabilitation through digital, community and specialist provision to increase capacity and reduce variation across Scotland. This includes work with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland to develop pulmonary rehabilitation resources and a digital-first offer through their My Lungs, My Life platform, and setting up pulmonary rehabilitation pilots in central and rural areas, helping to ensure people can access consistent support regardless of where they live.

In addition, recommendations from the Long Term Conditions Advisory Group on Respiratory Conditions which will inform the Long-Term Conditions Strategy, due to be published in March 27. This will help inform future action to support equitable and sustainable access to services, including respiratory care.

More broadly, the commitments set out in the 2026-27 Budget will deliver record investment of £22.5 billion for health and social care, supporting delivery of planned care and increasing capacity across NHS Scotland. We have invested an additional £100 million this year to build on progress made through the NHS Operational Improvement Plan and have announced a further £90 million to support those waiting longest for treatment and create additional capacity across the healthcare system.