People in poorest areas of England ‘more likely to need emergency care for lung conditions’ | Health

People from the poorest backgrounds in England with serious lung conditions are more likely to be admitted to hospital for emergency treatment than their more affluent counterparts, a study has found.

Analysis of NHS admissions data for November by Asthma + Lung UK found that people from the most deprived backgrounds in England were 56% more likely to be admitted for emergency care, while 62% were more likely to be readmitted within 39 days of an emergency admission, which is linked to an increased risk of dying.

The research also found that people in deprived areas were almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for respiratory problems.

One expert said the findings should serve as a wake-up call to end the “postcode lottery”.

The highest rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admissions per population are in deprived areas, including Blackpool, Manchester, Hastings and Burnley.

COPD is a group of diseases that cause difficulty breathing and include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In England, more than 20,000 people die from COPD each year.

Dr Hugo Farne, a consultant respiratory specialist at Imperial College London, said the figures “highlight a glaring and avoidable injustice in respiratory health”.

“The fact that almost half a million respiratory admissions could be avoided each year if deprivation gaps were closed should be a wake-up call,” Farne said.

“We know what works: rapid diagnosis, cessation support, pulmonary rehabilitation, clean air, and well-resourced community respiratory services. Yet these services are least accessible in the places that bear the greatest burden.

“Tackling the consequences of COPD means tackling inequalities head on – through sustained investment in deprived areas, joint health and social care and treating respiratory health as a national priority, not a post office lottery.

The NHS is expecting its worst winter crisis in its history as flu cases continue to rise. NHS England data released on Thursday reveals that an average of 3,140 people were in hospital with flu each day at the end of last week, an increase of 18% on the previous week. This time last year, an average of 2,629 patients were hospitalized, while in 2023 that number would be 648.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Many patients currently in hospital with flu complications will have underlying lung conditions like COPD and, shockingly, those from the lowest income groups will be more likely to lose their lives this winter.

“Poor housing, smoking and exposure to air pollution put a person at higher risk of developing COPD, but lack also determines the progression of the disease.

“At the heart of the problem are diagnostic delays and poor care. Life-saving diagnostic tests are not available in some parts of the country, with the poorest and most populated areas – where the pressure on health services is greatest – tending to struggle the most to provide lung tests and basic levels of care.

“Lung health is in critical condition in this country, and we know what changes need to be made, we just need to implement them – which is why we need a dedicated national strategy to improve respiratory outcomes. »

Previous analysis of NHS figures revealed that serious breathing problems, including COPD, led to more emergency admissions to hospitals than any other medical condition.

NHS England has been contacted for comment.