WELSH Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire Kirsty Williams visited a pulmonary rehabilitation session at Brecon War Memorial Hospital.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education for people with long-term lung conditions provided by the NHS and, in some areas, privately. PR combines physical exercise sessions with discussion and advice on lung health and is designed to help people manage the symptoms of their condition.

Powys teaching Health Board currently deliver pulmonary rehabilitation in Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Llandrinod Wells, Newtown and Welshpool.

Joseph Carter, Head of BLF Wales, said: “It was great to see AM Kirsty Williams taking the time to visit a PR session. Kirsty gained firsthand experience of what goes on, and discovered how important they are to the lives of people living with a lung disease”

“Not only do the courses teach people how to increase their activity safely and effectively, but they help them to help themselves in terms of managing breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or panic.”

Ms Williams, the Welsh Government Education Secretary, said: “I would like to thank the British Lung Foundation and staff at Brecon Hospital again for arranging the visit. It was fascinating to find out how much these sessions really do help people who are living with a lung condition.

“I still find it hard to believe that 1 in 5 people in Wales are currently living with a lung disease – this is too many. This is why I will be working with the BLF to help reduce lung disease in Wales.