Aim

The aim of this project is to explore how new or improved technology or innovation can address unmet needs of those living with, at high risk of, or caring for those with chronic lung diseases; including COPD, asthma, occupational lung disease (conditions caused by work environments), pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs that makes breathing harder), among others​.

Why this is important

Chronic respiratory (lung) conditions affect millions of people in the UK and are the third biggest cause of death in England.  Lung conditions also come at a big cost to the UK. Every year, asthma and COPD cost the NHS £3 billion and £1.9 billion respectively. Hospital admissions for lung problems have been rising much faster than other types of illness, yet these conditions still don’t get enough attention or funding for research and new treatments.

While chronic lung conditions often can’t be cured, people can live better with them if the illness is caught early and managed well. Much of this care happens in the community – at your GP or local clinic. Spotting the signs early, supporting people to monitor and manage their symptoms at home, and providing the right care quickly can help prevent hospital stays and improve quality of life.

The annual economic burden of asthma and COPD on the NHS in the UK is estimated at £3 billion and £1.9 billion respectively. CRDs are therefore a key interest area for the health technology industry, especially in the context of the Change NHS 10 Year Health Plan  which focuses on three main priorities: ​

• Moving care from hospitals to communities,
• Focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it, and
• Making better use of technology

Methods

Our methods are based on the previous project conducted by our team in the area of women’s health technology: EMPOWER – NIHR Community Healthcare MIC.

First, we’ll be running a survey with members of the public and health professionals to understand what support or solutions are still missing (unmet needs), and how new or better technology could help.

Second, we’ll be running focus groups and one-to-one conversations to learn more about the challenges people tell us about in this survey. 

Third, we’ll hold a workshop with patients and healthcare professionals to agree on the most important unmet needs.

Benefits to patients

It’s important that new health technologies meet the needs of the NHS, and the companies that create them, and most importantly patients. By finding out what support is currently missing, we can better decide where to focus time, money, and effort - and help speed up the development of tools that will make the biggest difference.

We also want to make sure these solutions work for everyone, including people from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities, so we can help reduce unfair differences in health.

If you are interested in filling in the survey and being part of the project, you can find out more here [Link to survey ad page]

Contact e-mail: heron@phc.ox.ac.uk

Lead Investigator: Helen Ashdown

Research Group: NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Community Healthcare – Respiratory Theme

Funder: LifeArc