We are in the process of changing our name to Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI NENC), in the interim you will see references to both AHSN NENC and HI NENC

Respiratory

The AHSN NENC  Respiratory Programme aims to improve health outcomes for those living with Respiratory conditions.

Background

  • The NHS Long Term Plan identifies respiratory disease as a clinical priority; it affects one in five people and is the third biggest cause of death in the England (after cancer and cardiovascular disease)
  • Hospital admissions for lung disease have risen over the past seven years at three times the rate of all admissions generally
  • Respiratory diseases are a major factor in winter pressures faced by the NHS; most respiratory admissions are non-elective and during the winter period these double in number
  • The annual economic burden of asthma and COPD on the NHS in the UK is estimated as £3 billion and £1.9 billion respectively. In total, lung conditions directly cost the NHS in the UK £11billion annually.

The AHSN NENC has invested in Respiratory projects since 2013, a significant body of work has been developed, a selection of which can be found below in the Previous Projects section below.

Current Projects

Our respiratory programme has been set up to support various initiatives related to the management of asthma and COPD including:

Improving Outcomes for Respiratory Patients

Overuse of asthma inhalers has been reported to be a major contributor to CO2 emissions in respiratory care. This project aims to reduce the environmental impact of inhalers and is helping clinicians to choose an inhaler which is better for the patient and better for the planet. Find out more.

Artificial Intelligence Spirometry

The NHS Long Term Plan (LTP), which outlines the nation’s planned health investments, identified lung disease as a national clinical priority. The LTP aims for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of lung conditions. An important diagnostic tool for lung conditions is spirometry (a forceful blowing test). Previous research has shown that spirometry performed in general practice is of poor quality, in particular the interpretation of tests. This project uses AI software to assess and interpret readings. Find out more.

Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing

(FeNO) testing is a simple, non-invasive test to measure the amount of nitric oxide in an exhaled breath – a biomarker for airway inflammation. The AHSN NENC provided spread and adoption support regionally from April 2021 to March 2023. Find out more.

 

For more information about the AHSN NENC Respiratory Programme contact [email protected]

The AHSN NENC in collaboration with the British Lung Foundation and Newcastle Healthy Lungs has created the video “Changing Lives – Breathing Better” to promote the value of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR).

BLF-Case-Study

Case Study – Can respiratory specialist nurse support improve COPD management in primary care_

Please find below a selection of reports and case studies:

Asthma Clinical Handover Project

Optimising the management of COPD exacerbations in primary care

Management of COPD in Primary Care in Newcastle

AHSN Regional Respiratory Report

Citywide Report Newcastle CCG

An Evaluation of the delivery of Shared Medical Appointments

Previous Projects:

Beat Asthma+

Asthma and COPD Discharge Bundle – Developing a Regional COPD Bundle aims

Development & Implementation of a Regional COPD Bundle. Read more on the background and project information here

 

The videos aim to provide an insight directly from a patient’s perspective into the benefits of PR and can be used as an educational tool for both patients and clinicians.

 

 

 

 

Throughout the NENC area provision of ‘stop smoking services’ is varied. There is some fantastic work and projects being developed and implemented that will make a real difference in supporting patients to stop smoking and this will significantly improve the overall health of these individuals and reduce resource use within the NHS.

There are also considerable challenges faced by local authorities with ever decreasing Public Health budgets. ‘Stop Smoking Services’ are unfortunately not mandatory and nationally some authorities are even considering not providing a service at all.

Individual service providers will face similar financial pressures and implementation challenges and will meet these challenges in different ways.

The AHSN NENC, in collaboration with Fresh NE are looking at ways support service providers across the area, sharing best practice to help overcome the challenges.

Stop Before the Op Case Study

Collaboration to reduce smoking in targeted groups

 

 

We have funded several projects in spirometry, a selection is show below:

A Qualitative Audit of Spirometry Services In Gateshead CCG

Spirometry Case Study