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£10 Million Partnership to Transform Asthma and COPD Care, Moving Treatment Closer to Home

Landmark collaboration between NHS, pharma giants, and health networks aims to cut hospital admissions, improve early diagnosis, and expand access to advanced treatments for 1 in 5 people affected by respiratory disease

A Landmark Partnership for Respiratory Care


The Respiratory Transformation Partnership (RTP), a £10 million collaboration between NHS England, the Office for Life Sciences, 15 health innovation networks, and four pharmaceutical giants (AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GSK, Sanofi), will transform care for asthma and COPD patients. The programme is designed to shift treatment from hospitals to local communities, reducing unplanned admissions and improving patient outcomes through earlier diagnosis, better management, and access to advanced treatments.


  • Scale of the Problem: Respiratory disease is the third leading cause of death in the UK, contributing to 700,000 hospital admissions and 6 million inpatient bed days annually, most of which are unplanned.
  • Economic Impact: Better-managed respiratory conditions will reduce workplace absences, supporting the government’s 10-Year Health Plan and raising living standards.


Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister:

"Too many people with asthma and lung disease end up rushed to hospital when, with the right care and support, that admission could have been avoided entirely. This £10 million partnership is a concrete example of what our reform agenda looks like in practice—shifting care out of hospitals and into communities."


Key Objectives of the RTP


The RTP will focus on three core areas:


  1. Identifying High-Risk Patients: Using data and digital tools to pinpoint patients who would benefit from more targeted treatments.
  2. Expanding Access to Biologic Medicines: Ensuring community and primary care teams can prescribe and administer advanced treatments closer to home.
  3. Supporting Local Care Teams: Equipping GPs, nurses, and community health workers with the tools and training needed to manage respiratory conditions effectively.


Dr Jonathan Fuld, National Clinical Director for Respiratory Diseases at NHS England:

"Around 1 in 5 people in England will be affected by respiratory illness in their lifetime, and far too many are living with symptoms that are undiagnosed or poorly managed. The RTP can be a blueprint for how partnerships between the NHS, charities, and industry can deliver better outcomes for people in every part of the country."


Industry and Clinical Support


The RTP is backed by a broad coalition of clinical, academic, and patient organisations, including Asthma + Lung UK, the British Thoracic Society, and NICE. The partnership will leverage pharmaceutical innovation to accelerate access to new treatments and improve care pathways for patients.


  • Pharmaceutical Contributions: Companies like AstraZeneca, GSK, and Sanofi will provide scientific expertise, funding, and access to cutting-edge medicines, including biologic therapies for severe asthma and COPD.
  • Health Innovation Networks: The programme is coordinated by Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley, ensuring local implementation and scalability across England.


Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry:

"For the millions of people living with asthma and COPD, partnerships like this can make a real difference to daily life. By combining the NHS’s clinical expertise with the innovation of the life sciences industry, we can help ensure patients get earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and more support closer to home."


Impact on Patients and the NHS


The RTP aims to reduce the burden of respiratory disease on patients, the NHS, and the economy by:


  • Cutting Avoidable Hospital Admissions: Moving care to local settings will ease pressure on hospitals, particularly during winter peaks.
  • Improving Quality of Life: Earlier diagnosis and personalised care will help patients manage their conditions better, reducing symptoms and flare-ups.
  • Supporting Economic Productivity: Reducing health-related absences will boost workforce participation and living standards.


Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Asthma + Lung UK:

"The UK has the worst death rate in western Europe for lung conditions, and the impact falls most heavily on people living in the most deprived areas. The RTP shows the power of bringing together the government, NHS, life sciences firms, and patient organisations to improve lung health and reduce inequality."