March 2024
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This conference focused on next steps for developing respiratory health services and improving lung health in England.
It was an opportunity for stakeholders and clinical leaders to assess the delivery of respiratory health services over the winter and lessons learned for future planning.
Delegates examined the preparation and implementation of NHS England’s Winter Plan 2023/24 as well as the impact of NICE guideline updates, including the use of virtual wards for acute respiratory infection. They considered key issues for NHS service delivery, including priorities for addressing winter pressures and co-circulation of flu and COVID-19.
The conference also examined the inclusion of respiratory health within the interim report of the Major Conditions Strategy.
Areas for discussion included priorities for improving health outcomes, public health and prevention, managing multiple health conditions, addressing health inequalities, and key areas for innovation and diagnostics.
Delegates also assessed latest thinking on the way forward for reducing smoking and managing vaping within the population, following the publication of the Khan review: making smoking obsolete, the Government’s decision to ban the use of disposable vapes and the recent DHSC consultation on Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smoke free generation.
Further sessions considered addressing links between chronic respiratory disease and air pollution, and looking at effects of current measures and options for the future.
We are pleased that keynote speakers included: Dr Jonathan Fuld, Consultant Physician and National Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Henry Gregg, Director of External Affairs, Asthma + Lung UK; and Chair, Taskforce for Lung Health; Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air, Global Action Plan; Katie Hannant, Clinical Respiratory Lead for CYP, NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board; and Professor Robert West, Professor of Health Psychology and Director of Tobacco Studies, University College London.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- policy: evaluating the current climate for respiratory health services - priorities for improving treatment and care - managing multiple conditions - improving health outcomes
- winter and acute care: respiratory health service pressures - lessons and approaches to inform future preparedness - vaccination programmes - the role and impact of virtual wards
- smoking: recommendations from the Khan review and the outlook for policy plans for a smoke-free generation - next steps for reducing smoking - the ban on disposable vapes
- air pollution: assessing strategic options for tackling air pollution and its impact on chronic respiratory disease - assessing effects of current measures and options for future lung health
- prevention: latest thinking on reducing risk and tackling health inequalities - vaccination and supporting vulnerable groups - clinical assessment - increasing patient and public awareness
- diagnosis and innovation: personalised care and management of long-term conditions - new approaches to identifying and diagnosing patients - the role of data and opportunities through AI
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DfT; DHSC; DoH, NI; DWP; HM Treasury; HSE; MHRA; and NAO - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
