Detailed programme information

The South West and West of England AHSNs, alongside the South West Severe Asthma Network (SWSAN), have been working with 10 hospital trusts across the South West of England to improve asthma pathways and enhance access to innovative treatments for adult patients.

A new evaluation shows the collaborative project, which was awarded NHS Pathway Transformation Funding for a one year project from September 2021, to increase regional uptake of asthma biological therapies (Reslizumab, Benralizumab, Mepolizumab and Omalizumab), has achieved a number of positive results, including:

• 961 patients are now receiving biologic therapies
• 294 new patients started biologic therapy during the project
• 87% of patients are now administering biologics at home
• a reduced time from referral to commencement of biologics
• 36% reduction in asthma ED attendance for patients on biologics (over 2 years)

Biological therapies can transform patient lives by reducing long-term side effects of other asthma treatments, help patients not responding to other treatments and reduce the number of exacerbations and life-threatening asthma attacks. These treatments were selected as one element of the national Rapid Uptake Products (RUP) programme. The RUP programme is delivered by AHSNs and seeks to increase uptake of NICE approved diagnostics and treatments that have lower than expected uptake.

The work undertaken by the AHSNs and SWSAN also links to the respiratory NHS Long Term Plan ambitions “to improve the lives and outcomes of people with respiratory disease by diagnosing and treating conditions earlier and making sure that people with respiratory disease are receiving the right medication.”

This work took place alongside the launch, in June 2022, of a new asthma consensus pathway (developed by Oxford AHSN). The pathway intends to be a blueprint, guiding clinicians, managers and commissioners on what optimal asthma care should look like across the entire patient journey and leading to real improvements in outcomes. You can find out more here.

Since September 2021, the South West and West of England AHSNs and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children have also supported a paediatric asthma project to improve care pathways and access to biologic therapies for children and young people.

Contact  

If you have any questions, please contact Programme Director Steve Johnson-Wood: steve.johnson-wood@swahsn.com.