Miners with a heightened risk of respiratory illnesses are set to receive enhanced support from the NHS as part of England’s inaugural Men’s Health Strategy.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has committed to aiding men in former mining and industrial areas who have endured longstanding health disparities stemming from their work history. Specifically, a substantial £1 million allocation to the respiratory pathways transformation fund will be directed towards assisting miners.
The allocated funds will facilitate the identification of individuals requiring assistance, notably those afflicted with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This proactive approach aims to promptly deliver tailored care and support to high-risk COPD patients, thereby mitigating unnecessary hospitalizations.
The financial support will extend to organizations nationwide, with a focus on regions with industrial legacies and documented health disparities, ensuring equitable reach to communities grappling with elevated rates of respiratory ailments.
The overarching goal of the Men’s Health Strategy is to rectify disparities in men’s health, outlining comprehensive measures to tackle prevalent issues like mental health concerns, prostate and testicular cancer, and heart disease.
Emphasizing the significance of addressing men’s health concerns, Mr. Streeting remarked, “Men’s health has been neglected for too long. The demanding and perilous nature of mining labor has left men in traditional mining communities grappling with respiratory challenges.”
He added, “Our forthcoming strategy represents a pivotal moment. By pinpointing ex-miners at risk or already suffering from respiratory diseases, we aim to expedite their access to improved care.”
Chris Kitchen, the General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, lauded the Men’s Health Strategy and the additional support earmarked for mineworkers with respiratory issues, highlighting the government’s responsiveness to their advocacy efforts.
The Men’s Health Strategy is poised to announce an expansion of the existing Respiratory Pathways Transformation Fund initiative, injecting an extra £1 million through the Oxfordshire Health Innovation Network. This infusion will facilitate targeted interventions in former coalfield regions, particularly for individuals with COPD, streamlining access to tailored local services. Progress and insights gleaned from these initiatives will be encapsulated in the one-year progress report of the Men’s Health Strategy.
