We are calling on Government to commit to the development and implementation of a respiratory Modern Service Framework (MSF) in our new report ‘Breathing Life into the NHS: Improving outcomes, reducing inequalities and enabling innovation through a respiratory MSF.’

Respiratory conditions affect around one in six people in England and are the third leading cause of death. They are a major driver of NHS pressures, particularly in winter, with breathing issues being the leading cause of all emergency admissions. Due to inconsistent delivery of effective interventions, progress has lagged behind comparable conditions. In order to address this, there must be a more proactive model of care focused on prevention, early intervention, and community delivery, enabled by a respiratory MSF.

“I don’t feel like I’m living day to day, I feel like I’m just waiting for this disease to take me” – Person living with interstitial lung disease

The opportunity is not only to improve outcomes for millions of people living with respiratory conditions. A respiratory MSF could also help tackle some of the Government’s most pressing priorities: reducing health inequalities, improving NHS productivity, supporting economic participation, advancing the shift to neighbourhood health services, and strengthening the UK’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem.

While many effective interventions for respiratory disease already exist, access remains variable and delivery inconsistent. A respiratory MSF would provide a clear national framework to raise the bar for lung health, reduce unwarranted variation, close widening inequalities, and ensure that proven, scalable solutions are implemented consistently across the country.

Through the Taskforce for Lung Health, patients, carers, healthcare professionals, the voluntary sector, professional associations, researchers and industry all support the need for a respiratory MSF to embed systematic, national improvement. There is clear consensus on a set of evidence-based interventions that can improve outcomes and reduce demand.

At a time when Government is looking for policy interventions that can simultaneously improve outcomes, reduce system pressure and support economic growth, respiratory stands out as a clear and compelling opportunity.

The Taskforce for Lung Health recommends that:

1. Ministers commit to the development and implementation of a respiratory MSF

The scale of avoidable harm, NHS pressure, inequalities and productivity loss, combined with a strong, sector-backed improvement and research agenda, makes respiratory a clear priority.

2. Government and NHS England convene a focused co-design process

Building on the work underpinning this report, this should bring together clinical leaders, patients, Integrated Care Systems, local government, life sciences, data partners and economists to shape the final moonshot goal and metrics; the core intervention bundle and stretch ambitions; and the research and innovation priorities to be embedded from the outset.

3. Ministers and officials deliver policy, investment and system levers needed for a respiratory MSF to succeed

In particular, this should consider the balance between national consistency and local flexibility; the level and nature of investment and incentives needed to shift care into primary and community settings; the protection of respiratory clinical leadership; and how MSF implementation can best align with the UK’s life sciences and innovation growth agenda.