Summary
The Respiratory Transformation Partnership (RTP) is a landmark national collaboration to improve care for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions. It is receiving funding totalling £10 million over the next two years from the Office for Life Sciences (OLS), NHS England (NHSE) and four industry partners: AstraZeneca, Chiesi Group, GSK and Sanofi. The RTP was launched in March 2026 by Dr Zubir Ahmed, the Health Minister for Innovation and Safety. This was the first ever ministerial launch of a HIN programme. It combines national ambition with local action. Strong clinical leadership is at its heart. It will lead to earlier diagnosis, more consistent equitable care, along with a reduction in hospital admissions and premature deaths. It will support the economy by helping people stay healthy and in work.
The RTP marks a shift from crisis-driven care to a proactive data-enabled approach which will transform thousands of lives thorough personalised condition management. It closely aligns with Government priorities to provide the right care closer to home as well as the Ten Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan. It will also contribute to productivity improvements, workforce development and economic growth, and create a scalable blueprint for transformation across the NHS enabled by innovation.
Problem being addressed
Too many lives are blighted as a result of inadequate care and support for respiratory disease, adding avoidable pressure to NHS services. Respiratory disease:
- is the third leading cause of death in the UK
- affects approximately one in five people during their lifetime, with asthma and COPD the most common long-term respiratory conditions
- accounts for around 20% of all deaths
- contributes to approximately 8% of hospital admissions and 10% of inpatient bed days
- costs the UK economy an estimated £188 billion annually
The economic burden is also significant, with respiratory conditions costing the UK economy an estimated £188 billion annually.
Health inequalities remain a defining feature of respiratory disease. People living in the most deprived areas face significantly higher rates of emergency admissions and premature mortality from respiratory disease.
With the right guidance, timely care and targeted support, asthma and COPD are treatable.
Network support
Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) identified an unmet health need and built on its existing relationships with clinical leaders, OLS and pharma companies to create a new coalition to address it. HIOTV is now leading the RTP on behalf of the Health Innovation Network.
There are clear national guidelines, but systems find it difficult to make the changes needed to ensure equitable access to new therapies and better care pathways. Having built trusted long-term relationships health innovation networks are able to provide national coordination and leadership as well as supporting locally-led delivery.
Impact so far
The first PTF ran for six months to the end of March 2026. Data is still being collated from the nine projects across the country. Key figures include:
- 2150 asthma diagnoses
- 2266 COPD diagnoses
Scalability/Next steps
The programme is based on local partnerships throughout England.
The next step is a focus on six deprived former coalfield areas in the Midlands and north of England which are disproportionately affected by respiratory disease.
This model is highly applicable and transferrable across other clinical pathways.
Feedback
This government is bringing together the NHS, industry and local health innovation networks to make sure patients get the treatment they need, closer to home, before their condition reaches crisis point.” Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed
By working across partners and systems we can support earlier identification of disease, improve access to effective treatments and help people manage their conditions closer to home.” Professor Gary Ford, Chief Executive, Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley
Seeing a patient in clinic – he was literally gasping for breath, who was struggling to navigate the system and not being heard … and almost on the brink of giving up. To then … be able to give him more treatment was just so rewarding.” Practice nurse, Yorkshire
Contact
Seema Gadhia, Associate Director, Clinical Innovation Adoption seema.gadhia@healthinnovationoxford.org