Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

Today is another world day. It is World COPD Day. I know only too well how COPD can affect someone as my beautiful mam had it and, unfortunately, died due to it eight years ago. Some 1,500 people in Ireland will die due to COPD. Having COPD feels like a persistent struggle for breath, accompanied by a chronic cough and wheezing. Symptoms can include a tight chest, frequent lung infections and a lack of energy that makes daily activities really difficult. It is estimated that 380,000 people in lreland have COPD today. It is a condition that affects mainly middle-aged and older adults who smoke or used to smoke. Symptoms usually present when patients are in the 50s and 60s, and I am glad to say that 70% of people who were, or are, diagnosed with COPD, give up smoking.

COPD Support Ireland is an incredible organisation that supports people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It brings together local COPD support from around the country to advocate for those living with and caring for someone with COPD. COPD is an umbrella term for a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While COPD is not curable, it is treatable, allowing people to have the best quality of life.

The theme for our World COPD Day today is: Short of breath, think COPD. What is very important for COPD Support Ireland is the continued support and funding of the HSE's national integrated model of care for COPD and the integrated care programme for the prevention and management of chronic disease. Saying all of this equals the need for more support to help people with COPD. The support of this integrated model of care is crucial as this has been a key driver for improved care in Ireland over the past five years, enabling better connected health services for people with COPD across the country. I urge the Leader to discuss, with the Minister for Health, the importance of retaining the support and funding to help people with COPD.