Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed today, Tuesday 17 March 2026, launched an ambitious new national coalition which will speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and transform the lives of thousands of people affected by asthma and lung disease.
The Respiratory Transformation Partnership (RTP) brings together health innovation networks alongside NHS systems, leading industry partners, the Office for Life Sciences, NHS England and others to address unmet need and make better use of innovative treatments and technology.
Dr Zubir Ahmed said: “Too many people with asthma and lung disease end up rushed to hospital when, with the right care and support, that admission could have been avoided entirely. For far too long these patients have been let down because of a broken system. This government is bringing together the NHS, industry and local health innovation networks to make sure patients get the treatment they need, closer to home, before their condition reaches crisis point.
“This £10 million partnership is a concrete example of what our reform agenda looks like in practice – shifting care out of hospitals and into communities, using data to reach patients who have been missed, and working hand-in-hand with industry to get the best treatments to the people who need them most.”
Professor Ben Bridgewater, Executive Chair of the Health Innovation Network, said: “Through the implementation of this innovative partnership working in local communities across the country, patient outcomes will be improved, and national productivity gains can be made. This programme will create a practical blueprint of how innovation and collaboration can deliver better outcomes for patients while reducing pressure on hospitals and driving economic growth.”
Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) is leading the programme on behalf of the Health Innovation Network.
HIOTV Chief Executive Professor Gary Ford said: “Respiratory disease places an enormous burden on patients, families and the NHS, yet we know that earlier diagnosis and better long-term management can make a transformative difference.
“The Respiratory Transformation Partnership brings together the NHS, industry, innovators and patient groups to tackle these challenges collectively, using data, diagnostics and new technologies to redesign how care is delivered. By working across partners and systems, we can support earlier identification of disease, improve access to effective treatments and help people manage their conditions closer to home.
“Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley is proud to be leading the Respiratory Transformation Partnership on behalf of the Health Innovation Network.”
The RTP aligns with the government’s three strategic shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from crisis treatment to proactive prevention through earlier and more accurate diagnosis alongside better long-term management.
Read more about the Respiratory Transformation Partnership.
Posted on March 17, 2026
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