Respiratory Emergencies Surge, Overwhelming Hospitals in England

According to a recent report, hospitals in England are facing a growing crisis as emergency admissions for respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have surged in recent years. The charity Asthma and Lung UK states that over the last 2 years, there has been a 23% increase in these types of emergency hospital admissions.

Last winter alone, there were 1.1 million hospital visits for breathing emergencies, and the charity warns of "regular" winter crises due to the "dismal" delivery of routine care for patients with lung conditions. The data also shows a concerning rise in "bounceback" hospital readmissions, with 405,000 such cases recorded between April 2024 and March 2025.

Sarah Sleet, the chief executive of Asthma and Lung UK, says the failure to provide consistent year-round care is "pushing the NHS to breaking point" and leading to avoidable A&E admissions. She emphasizes the need for a national strategy to address this growing problem and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

The charity's analysis highlights the strain on hospitals, with respiratory diseases being a major driver of admissions. Professor Sanjay Agrawal, a respiratory and intensive care consultant, adds that the sharp rise in both admissions and readmissions reflects a healthcare system and medical workforce under immense pressure.