Software to improve asthma and COPD care to roll out to 150 GP practices

GP practices across Greater Manchester will be testing software designed to improve asthma and COPD care during annual reviews.

Over two years 150 practices will be testing the LungHealth software which flags up gaps in care and ensures all basic checks have been done.

A joint collaboration between pharmaceutical company Chiesi and Health Innovation Manchester, the pilot will feed into discussions around wider adoption across England.

Research from Asthma+Lung UK has found 30% of individuals with asthma and less than 20% of those with COPD in the UK have gaps in care or have missed reviews.

This was particularly the case after the pandemic, the charity warned previously.

Some areas of the country do worse than others and it has been shown that respiratory-related emergency hospital admissions in Greater Manchester are 30% higher than the national average.

The software will be rolled out in three stages. GP practices will get access to computer-guided asthma and COPD consultations that incorporates national and international guidelines with the patient’s record.

Clinicians can access to a data dashboard to guide decision making as well as engaging the patient in the management of their condition.

And it signposts community support available for example pulmonary rehabilitation services and smoking cessation, during reviews which can be done face to face or remotely.

An evaluation is being done on whether use of the technology can improve the overall quality, effectiveness and consistency of reviews and whether it leads to reduced asthma and COPD exacerbations.

Extrapolating figures from a previous smaller test of the software in Bedfordshire has suggested NHS England could make £65.6million of savings in the first year if the software was rolled out to all practices at a cost £30.9 million.

Dr Tracey Vell, a former GP and medical director at Health Innovation Manchester,  said she hoped the collaboration would“significantly improve outcomes for our asthma and COPD patients in Greater Manchester”.

“The software will help clinical reviews of patients for busy GP practices and ensure patients are provided with the optimal care.

“The implementation of the LungHealth software will enable more efficient reviews in line with the very latest guidance, easing the burden on Primary Care, with better care for patients.”

Another recent collaboration between the University of Hull and Chiesi had shown undiagnosed COPD could be picked up through lung health checks.

But GPs have warned they are being hindered in respiratory care by a lack of diagnostic test availability. ICBs were recently instructed to ensure spirometry was commissioned in primary care.

Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, and a GP, welcomed the initiative adding that their own surveys on basic NICE recommended care showed the UK had a ‘shocking record’ on care for asthma and COPD with some areas faring particularly badly. 

‘Not only does Manchester rank as the most polluted city in the UK, but Greater Manchester has one of the highest rates of emergency admissions and deaths due to lung conditions in this country.

‘By flagging the need for preventative interventions earlier, this software could help to improve access to care and lead to far better outcomes for people with lung conditions where it is needed most.’