Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Asthma Outcomes

07 December 2021 · 6 other contributors · 12,477 words

Opened by Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Responding minister: Edward Argar

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jim Shannon raised concerns about asthma outcomes in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP is concerned about 5.4 million asthma sufferers in the UK and 65% not receiving annual reviews as recommended by NICE.
  • MP highlighted asthma's impact on quality of life, including work absences and mental health issues.
  • MP asked the Minister to explain non-compliance with annual reviews and address overuse of SABA inhalers.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Minister to explain why patients are not receiving annual reviews, address the issue of SABA inhaler overuse, and include severe asthma in the unified guidelines. He also seeks a renewed commitment to achieving upper quartile access for biologic treatments and setting clear targets for improvement.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

The MP is concerned about the high number of asthma sufferers in the UK, approximately 5.4 million people, and the fact that 65% of patients do not receive annual reviews despite recommendations from NICE. He highlighted the significant impact of asthma on quality of life, including work absences, social isolation, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The MP also mentioned the increase in asthma-related deaths by one third over the past decade, with three people dying every day in the UK.

Other contributors (6)
  • Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North

    Clark highlighted the impact of asthma on families and communities, noting that severe cases often lead to emergency hospital admissions. She cited statistics indicating that around 200,000 people in the UK suffer from severe asthma, with many missing out on crucial biological treatments. Clark emphasized that two-thirds of asthma deaths are preventable and urged the government to address basic care provision and prescription charges.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Congratulates my hon. Friend on securing the debate, highlights the importance of raising awareness through voluntary groups working with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and commends a local group in his constituency for their efforts.

  • Jane Hunt

    Discussed asthma outcomes and the impact of proposed changes in drug delivery by DHSC. Highlighted the work of Kindeva, a pharmaceutical company based in her constituency, on transitioning to green propellants for inhalers. Raised concerns about NHS's target to reduce carbon impact of inhalers by 50% by 2028 and proposals to remove essential medical use exemption for F gases. Asked the Minister and NHS to work with industry to ensure it has time to transition to greener propellants and suggested delivering emissions reduction targets over a longer timeframe, maintaining medical use exemptions until 2030. Thanked the hon. Lady for allowing her to intervene, noting that while an annual prescription charge exists in Scotland, it is significantly lower. Emphasised that asthma sufferers are unable to control their condition and asked if there could be something done about this.

  • Lisa Cameron SNP East Dunbartonshire

    Acknowledged the importance of asthma care, highlighted that three people a day die from treatable asthma. Discussed the impact of prescription charges in England versus Scotland's approach of abolishing them since 2011. Mentioned Asthma UK survey showing 75% struggle to pay for prescriptions and skip doses due to cost. Cited Scottish Government's respiratory care plan (2021-26) with a workstream on asthma, noting increase in asthma attacks by a third over the last decade.

  • Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett

    Ms Liz Twist highlighted the prevalence of asthma in the UK, noting that 5.4 million people receive treatment for it, including 5,282 in her constituency. She detailed the challenges faced by those with severe asthma, which includes high oral steroid usage rates and devastating impacts on quality of life due to side effects like osteoporosis and mental health issues. Emphasising access to biologic treatments as a solution, she noted that only 46,000 eligible individuals receive them, urging for improved referral processes based on clear guidelines. Asked the Minister for more specific information about access to biologic services for those with severe asthma, highlighting its importance despite the impact of covid-19.

  • Margaret Ferrier

    I congratulate the hon. Member on securing today's debate and emphasises that research and development is key to improving asthma outcomes, suggesting that funding into asthma research must be provided from a clearly defined central source and there should be increased capacity for trials in hospitals.

Government Response

Edward Argar

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr McCabe. The Government are dedicated to improving asthma outcomes. Over the past decade, initiatives such as the 2011 outcome strategy for COPD and asthma have been rolled out to improve identification, diagnosis, intervention, proactive care, and management of the disease. In 2013, a guide was produced to support accurate diagnosis of respiratory conditions. The national review of asthma deaths in 2014 aimed to identify avoidable factors and make recommendations for improvement. Since then, NHS England has established 13 respiratory networks across the country focused on improving clinical pathways for asthma patients. The NHS long-term plan includes respiratory disease as a national priority with objectives such as early diagnosis and prevention of emergency admissions due to asthma. Pharmacists in primary care networks will educate patients about inhaler use and contribute to multidisciplinary work. Since 2019, the quality outcomes framework (QOF) has improved respiratory indicators and incorporated key elements for better patient outcomes. The Minister acknowledges the particular impact of asthma on children and young people, and highlights NHSEI's transformation programme promoting a systemic approach to asthma management. The national bundle of care will be published in spring next year and includes an environmental impact section addressing air pollution. A complete version of the bundle of care will identify asthma care by race, geography, age, and social deprivation. The Government also set out their clean air strategy in 2019, recognising the health impacts of air pollution on people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. NICE guidance provides advice for those facing these impacts, and ongoing efforts are made to tackle root causes of poor air quality. During the pandemic, specialist respiratory services for severe asthma continued to run, although some centres' ability to commence patients on biologics may have been impacted at the peak of surges. Prescription and access to biologics is coordinated through severe asthma centre multidisciplinary teams, ensuring all treatments are considered based on clinical judgment. The use of remote consultations and biologic medication taken at home has supported most people with severe asthma during the pandemic. NICE's updated guidance aims to streamline processes for moving patients onto biologic therapies. Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) will diagnose a number of conditions, including respiratory symptoms, enhancing capacity for earlier diagnosis. There are currently no plans to review or extend NHS prescription charge exemptions for asthma due to the need for balance with proportionate charges and contributions to the drugs budget. Approximately 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge already, with arrangements in place to help those most in need.

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