Birmingham and Solihull have some of the highest hospital admissions and death rates from lung conditions in England1. Dr Matthew Swallow, a GP and one of the senior respiratory clinical leaders in the area, has been named one of six ‘Respiratory Champions’ by Asthma + Lung UK.
Dr Swallow says the lack of access to simple tests to diagnose lung conditions means that the telltale signs are too often missed, leaving people with breathing difficulties without an accurate diagnosis or receiving treatment for conditions they don’t have. This, in turn, increases pressures on the NHS, leading to more emergency admissions and hospital stays.
Dr Swallow said: “People struggling to breathe are waiting too long for an accurate diagnosis because of patchy access to tests. In Birmingham and Solihull, we have a lower-than-average rate of diagnosed COPD and asthma, but that’s only because these conditions are not being properly diagnosed.”
He added: “My initial focus is on improving access to simple tests to diagnose lung conditions. At present, it is very patchy and fragmented. This programme allows me to make a real impact on respiratory care in the community, and I am committed to seeing it through. The government needs to recognise this as a priority. They need to prioritise funding for diagnosing lung conditions.”
As part of the new pilot programme, supported by funding from AstraZeneca, Dr Swallow will redesign the local pathway for diagnosing lung conditions, ensuring that residents can get the tests they need more quickly. These simple tests are key to diagnosing lung conditions early and accurately, which can lead to better outcomes for patients.
Asthma + Lung UK is now calling for more funding for GP practices so they can offer rapid testing for anyone showing signs of a lung condition. The charity also wants national targets for diagnosis and specialist treatment to be set to speed up diagnosis and help people access the right treatment sooner, slowing the progression of lung conditions and helping people manage their symptoms more effectively.
Henry Gregg, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “We’re really excited to launch this new pilot programme, which will look at how we can improve respiratory care from the ground up. Matthew’s expertise and passion for improving lung health will be instrumental in tackling the challenges faced by residents of Birmingham and Solihull. At the moment, access to lung tests in the region falls short of what’s needed. Matthew’s focus and leadership will be crucial in ensuring residents get the care they deserve, and this pilot programme is a big step forward in addressing these issues.”
References
1 In 2022/23, Birmingham and Solihull ICB had an emergency hospital admission rate for respiratory disease of 1775 per 100,000 (24,475 admissions). This was the third highest rate across England after only North East and North Cumbria ICB and Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB. In 2022, Birmingham and Solihull ICB had a respiratory death rate of 128 per 100,000 (1,378 deaths). This was the fifth highest rate across England after Greater Manchester ICB, South Yorkshire ICB, Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB and Cheshire and Merseyside ICB. Data from DHSC Fingertips Respiratory Disease profile, admission can be seen here and deaths can be seen here. Date accessed: 04/09/24.