As winter illnesses surge across the UK, a new national initiative aims to help people with long-term respiratory conditions stay healthier and avoid unnecessary hospital visits
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework, giving health and care organisations rapid access to essential home-based respiratory equipment.
NHS England recently reported an average of 1,717 flu patients in hospital beds each day last week, the highest figure ever recorded at this point in the year and more than 50% higher than the same period the previous winter.
With pressures increasing, the ability to support patients at home is becoming increasingly crucial.
Supporting patients outside the hospital
Respiratory disease affects one in five people in England and remains the third leading cause of death nationally.
It also imposes a heavy financial burden on the NHS, costing the NHS around £11 billion annually. At the same time, hospital admissions for lung disease are rising at three times the rate of all other admissions, making innovative community-based solutions more critical than ever.
The new Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework aims to tackle these challenges head-on by providing organisations with quick, compliant access to equipment such as non-invasive ventilators, sleep therapy devices, and airway clearance systems.
These technologies allow patients with conditions such as asthma, COPD, and sleep apnoea to manage their symptoms more effectively at home, reducing the likelihood of emergencies and easing pressure on hospital services.
A focus on independence and prevention
One of the key advantages of the Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework is its emphasis on prevention and self-management.
By enabling early intervention at home, patients can avoid deterioration that might otherwise lead to A&E visits or hospital stays.
The agreement also includes remote monitoring options, allowing clinicians to track patients’ conditions and make timely decisions without the need for face-to-face appointments. This approach supports national priorities set out in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, which highlights the shift from hospital-centred care to community-based models.
Home re-supply and compliance reporting services are also built into the Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework. These features help ensure patients always have the equipment and consumables they need, while giving healthcare teams clarity on how treatments are being used.
Available across the wider public sector
Although the Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework has been created to support the NHS, access is not limited to hospital trusts or GP practices. Local authorities, council-run care homes, emergency services, and other public sector organisations can use it to source the same range of fully vetted solutions.
This wider availability helps create continuity of care for vulnerable groups, including those living in residential settings or receiving community support. With many services facing stretched resources and staff shortages, the ability to procure specialist equipment quickly and compliantly is expected to provide significant reassurance.
Reducing seasonal pressure
As winter respiratory illnesses continue to rise, the new Respiratory Therapy Solutions framework is expected to play an essential role in reducing avoidable pressures on hospitals. By supporting patients to remain well at home and respond to symptoms earlier, the initiative aims to protect both individuals and frontline services during the busiest months of the year.
For organisations seeking further details, NHS SBS can be contacted at sbs.hello@nhs.net.
