6. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of diagnostic tools being used to assess miners for signs of pneumoconiosis? OAQ53554

People affected with miners’ pneumoconiosis are able to access the relevant lung function tests, chest x-ray, and, where appropriate, CT scan. We also have important work being taken forward through the respiratory health implementation plan, to improve respiratory services in Wales more broadly.

I thank the Minister for his answer. My office has been contacted by a former coal miner, who has raised concerns that cases of pneumoconiosis may be going undetected due to outdated diagnostic procedures, and that pneumoconiosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms that are associated with it, like coughing and shortness of breath, can be indicative of a wide range of illnesses. The usual course of action for suspected cases is to refer the patient for an x-ray. However, only late-stage pneumoconiosis tends to be picked up by x-rays, and early-stage cases can pass undetected. Former miners face injustice on many fronts; the least they deserve is the peace of mind that they're given the best possible chance of treating this cruel disease. The most effective diagnostic tool is a CT scan. Will the Minister commit to providing CT scans as the default diagnostic tool for former coal miners, who are at high risk of suffering from black lung, as coal miners' pneumoconiosis is often referred to?

I would expect the appropriate use of diagnostic tools, as opposed to saying, 'Someone is a former miner, therefore they'll have a CT scan'. It's about understanding the symptoms they come in with. Because, actually, pneumoconiosis in its early stages is asymptomatic—it can take some time, depending on the person and their own make-up, as to when it becomes symptomatic, and how that's done. And you are right that some forms of scanning are not appropriate, and don't pick that up. It is actually why the respiratory improvement programme, which is led by clinicians, is so important to understand the evidence base of what's the right treatment, the right diagnosis, and at which point. So, it is really about taking that evidence base. And, importantly, this is an area where clinicians themselves are getting to a point of consensus. And there's real leadership within the health service, not because a politician has demanded it, but because they recognise there's a better way to use resources, a better way to improve the job that they're doing, and, crucially, to improve the care that they provide for people in every part of the country.