To ask the Minister of Health to detail his departmental commitment to ensure the best care for all those living with a respiratory condition.

I am pleased to provide assurance regarding the Department of Health commitment to improving respiratory care. Work has been ongoing since last year under the joint management of the Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency to formulate a refreshed work programme for the future. Partners from across patient groups, general practice and community and hospital services have come together to improve care and treatment pathways. Given the breadth of the work programme that affects so many people living in Northern Ireland, the priorities for 2024 are as follows:

Primary Care respiratory/diagnostics pathways

Interstitial lung disease

Paediatric respiratory disease

Asthma care

Initial meetings of the working groups will take place in April 2024 under the chairmanship of leading clinicians and with the support of my officials in the SPPG and PHA. The work programme has been discussed at the All Party Group for Lung Health and it is the intention that the lead commissioner from the SPPG will regularly attend this forum and provide updates to members.