New programme will improve care for people with lung disease and speed up diagnosis
Short of breath? Think COPD – World COPD Day, 19 November 2025
Health systems across England are beginning to roll out new ways of diagnosing and supporting people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) this winter, thanks to £2.61 million of NHS investment.
Nine local initiatives have received funding from the NHS England Pathway Transformation Fund (PTF) to:
- Increase access to diagnostic tests such as spirometry and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing
- Find people earlier, especially those at higher risk or who may not yet have a diagnosis
- Personalise treatment and support to improve quality of life
- Test innovative models of care to bring services closer to home.
Sites are beginning to introduce new models of care tailored to local communities. Several teams are testing community-based diagnostic hubs and new ways of supporting people most at risk of COPD complications.
This work is being supported by Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) working in partnership with local NHS teams. A national evaluation will help track what works, share learning and support wider roll-out so that patients everywhere can benefit.
Why this matters
COPD affects around 1.2 million people in the UK, and many more may be living with symptoms without a diagnosis. Early and accurate diagnosis means people can:
- Get treatment sooner
- Understand and manage their condition better
- Stay well for longer and avoid hospital admissions.
This work forms part of the national Respiratory Transformation Partnership – a collaboration across the NHS to improve how respiratory conditions are recognised, diagnosed and cared for. Learning from these nine sites will help ensure that effective approaches are shared more widely so that more people can benefit.
Dr Sarah Elkin, Clinical Lead COPD Neighbourhood, Respiratory Transformation Partnership, said: “Improving the recognition of lung disease and personalising care has never been more important. The ambition and innovation we are seeing across the nine sites is impressive – they are leading the way in improving access to diagnosis and better care for people with COPD this winter.”
Full list of consortium partners with supporting Health Innovation Network
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; My mhealth; Health Innovation South West; Cornwall Council; Voluntary Sector Forum; VCSE partners – Disability Cornwall, Age UK, The CHAOS Group, Volunteer Cornwall.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation South West
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board – Manchester Locality; Ardwick and Longsight Primary Care Network; North Manchester General Hospital; Hope Citadel Healthcare; Chorlton Park and Burnage Primary Care Network; Clayton, Beswick and Openshaw Primary Care Network; Gorton and Levenshulme Primary Care Network; Manchester Local Care Organisation
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation Manchester
- Merton Health CIC Primary Care Collaborative: St Georges and St Heliers Hospital Group; Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust; NHS South West London Integrated Care Board; Doccla; Primary Care Networks – East Merton, Morden, North Merton, North West Merton, West Merton, South West Merton; Age UK.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation Network South London
- Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust: Conexus; West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
- NHS Humber Health Partnership: Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board; University of Hull; Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; The Ridings Medical Group; My mhealth.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
- North West London Integrated Care Board: The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust; Doccla; Breathe Easy Group; HealthMatters
Supporting HIN: Imperial College Health Partners
- Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board; Mid-Nottinghamshire Place-Based Partnership; Abbey Medical Group; Newark Primary Care Network; Mansfield North Primary Care Network; Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust; Primary Integrated Community Services; A Better Life; Mansfield District Council; Newark and Sherwood District Council; Nottinghamshire County Council Public Health.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation East Midlands
- University Hospitals of Liverpool Group: Central Liverpool Primary Care Network; NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board; Liverpool Place; NHS England North West Respiratory Clinical Delivery Network; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation North West Coast
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust: NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board; University of Southampton; Oberoi Consulting; My mHealth; Southampton Central Primary Care Network; Community Diagnostic Centre Southampton City; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Community Diagnostic Centre Portsmouth City; Integrated COPD Service Portsmouth City; Integrated COPD Service Southampton City; The Environment Centre; Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Supporting HIN: Health Innovation Wessex