Chronic lung disease
Here you'll find our current definition of the critical illness, additional condition or child specific condition we cover. We've also listed any previous definitions we may have had. With each new definition we've highlighted what's changed from the previous definition.
Current definition
March 2022
Chronic lung disease – of specified severity
Confirmation by a consultant physician of chronic lung disease resulting in all of the following:
- the need for continuous daily oxygen therapy on a permanent basis
- FEV1 being less than 50% of normal, and
- Vital Capacity less than 50% of normal.
Changes from the previous definition
We've updated the FEV1 from being less than 40% to less than 50% of normal.
Previous definitions
November 2015
Chronic lung disease – of specified severity
Confirmation by a consultant physician of chronic lung disease resulting in all of the following:
- the need for continuous daily oxygen therapy on a permanent basis
- FEV1 being less than 40% of normal, and
- Vital Capacity less than 50% of normal.