Member's statement: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Member's statement by Mr Daniel McCrossan on .
- MLA
- Mr Daniel McCrossan
- Party at the time
- Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Date
- 17 June 2024
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4496178
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I raise a critical health issue that affects countless people throughout our communities: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The disease knows no bounds, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. It is a condition that needs our full attention, compassion and action. To date, 41,000 people across Northern Ireland are registered as having COPD, but it is expected that the figure would be much higher if there were proper detection. My personal journey with COPD has been challenging. I have witnessed how the condition has impacted on my mother's life. It has brought to the forefront the harsh realities and struggles faced by those battling that debilitating illness daily. Her recent hospitalisation has only amplified the urgency of the situation for us as a family, driving home the importance of greater awareness for families and all those affected and of providing more support for those with COPD in Northern Ireland. It is important at this juncture that I put on record my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated healthcare professionals at Altnagelvin Hospital, specifically ward 26, who provided exceptional care to my mother in an urgent situation that arose just over a week ago. They ensured that her stay was comfortable, and their tireless and unwavering efforts are deeply appreciated by us as a family. It is also important to record my deep appreciation to the respiratory team at Omagh Hospital in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, particularly to Joan Graham, whose kindness, compassion and exceptional care have been a source of great support to my family and countless others. Joan is indeed one of the unsung heroes of the health service, embodying the true spirit of healthcare and making a profound difference to the life of everyone for whom she cares.
This chronic respiratory condition not only impacts the physical health of those diagnosed with it but takes a toll on their mental health, well-being and overall quality of life. It is imperative that the Assembly and, indeed, the Department of Health take action to provide greater resources and support to ensure that we can support those with the disease. To effectively support those affected by COPD, we must prioritise access to comprehensive services, promote early detection and diagnosis, and ensure ongoing education and awareness. By fostering a culture of empathy, understanding and proactive intervention, we can empower COPD patients to manage their condition effectively and lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges that they face. It is a horrendous disease. There are different stages of it, and you can see it play out in countless people. Numbers are rising across Northern Ireland. I thank all those in our health service who do a tremendous job of supporting those with COPD.
456 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.02 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.72).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.02 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.72 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.02 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 0.77 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.23 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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