To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of the rate of death from lung and pulmonary conditions in Northern Ireland, compared to rates in other parts of western Europe; and (ii) what steps he is taking to reduce this level.

There is no agreed standard definition for deaths from lung and pulmonary conditions. For the purposes of answering this question and to allow for comparisons with other countries, age standardised death rates for (1) lung cancer and (2) diseases of the respiratory system have been provided below for Northern Ireland and other parts of Western Europe for the period 2016-2018. This data indicates a higher mortality rate for lung cancer and respiratory disease in Northern Ireland compared to the UK as a whole and the western European countries listed. Northern Ireland had a lower mortality rate for lung cancer in 2016-2018 compared to Scotland and the North East and North West of England. In relation to respiratory disease, Northern Ireland had a lower mortality rate in 2016-2018 compared to Scotland, the North East and North West of England and Wales.

Table 1. Standardised Death Rate (per 100,000 population) – Lung Cancer

Source: Eurostat

Table 2. Standardised Death Rate (per 100,000 population) – Respiratory Disease

Source: Eurostat

A number of activities support the reduction of pulmonary and lung death rates in NI. The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) commissions respiratory care in both acute and community settings across the whole of Northern Ireland as part of the overall Service and Budget Agreements with each of the Health and Social Care Trusts. Recently the HSCB has established a Task and Finish Group to develop plans to support the recovery of respiratory outpatient services and to support Trusts in rebuilding respiratory services impacted by the pandemic. In primary care, the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) sets out a number of clinical indicators and guidance to support the treatment and care of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma. A Northern Ireland Local Enhanced Service (NILES) for Chronic Respiratory Conditions is also in place which GP practices can choose to sign up to. This builds on the QOF and seeks to contribute to both reducing pressure on secondary care and improving the long-term health and well-being of patients with Asthma and COPD.

Reducing deaths from lung and pulmonary conditions also requires sustained collaboration across departments and agencies, local government, the community and voluntary sector, and with communities themselves to address the factors which impact on health and wellbeing locally and regionally. Making Life Better (MLB) is the overarching strategic framework for public health through which the Executive committed to creating the conditions for individuals, families and communities to take greater control over their lives, and be enabled and supported to lead healthy lives. Departments continue to work together on a range of issues, including mitigating the impacts of poverty and tackling the conditions that create health inequalities. In terms of preventable lifestyle factors, one of the most significant impacts on lung health is from tobacco use. There is an extensive range of PHA commissioned Stop Smoking Services across Northern Ireland and these are provided through Health & Social Care Trusts, Community Pharmacies, GP Practices and Community and Voluntary sector partners. These services aim to help smokers to quit and are provided free of charge to the public.