A hospital review of 1,608 patient notes, many on paper rather than electronic, identified those with ILD and 216 of them with care that “somehow did not meet best practice guidance.”

Of the affected patients, 91 died and 125 were still alive.

Concerns were raised about lack of investigation in 20% of cases, lack of referral to a specialist ILD multidisciplinary team in 42% of cases, lack of treatment in 30% of cases and inappropriate treatment in 9% of cases.

Affected patients were seen and any necessary changes or adjustments to their treatment were initiated, except for two individuals with whom the Foundation could not contact.

Dr Jennings said in a statement: “We are sorry that the care some of our patients with ILD receive falls short of what it should be when a doctor fails to keep up with evolving national best practice guidelines.”