The AHSN Network has supported many innovators to help advance our health and care system. Find out more about successful innovations supported by the NHS.
Less than 50% of severe asthma patients have eosinophil-driven disease (Wenzel2005) and Biologics are designed to control the number of eosinophil cells (Asthma UK). Only 10.8% of eligible severe asthma patients have access to biologic medicines today in the UK. Increasing the use of biologics appropriately would reduce use of Oral corticosteroids (OCS), associated with negative side effects, and exacerbations, causing 75,000 annual UK hospital admissions, each costing £1500.
FeNO (Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing alongside the recommended NICE diagnostic tests, will help enable more accurate diagnosis of asthma. Over 120,000 patients a year, 30% of the asthma population, are wrongly diagnosed and given inappropriate medication. This project will look to reduce the use of steroids and improve diagnosis, enabling correct adjustments or the right medication to be prescribed. FeNO is indicative of the severity of airway inflammation.
The NHS Long Term Plan states that the biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years is in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD causes one death every three minutes in the UK, with those in the most deprived areas four times more likely to die. For the first time in 50 years, deaths from premature cardiovascular disease are on the rise. CVD is the single biggest area where the health service can save lives over the next 10 years through targeted approaches to reduce the widening of health inequalities. To address this the AHSN Network is delivering a national lipids optimisation programme, which commenced in 2020/21, that will run for three years. This programme aims to improve the management of cholesterol, increase the detection of those with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia and optimise the use of all medicines for patients on the cholesterol management pathway.
Working with the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), the AHSN Network is rolling out FeNO testing to help improve the diagnosis of asthma. FeNO (Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing alongside the recommended NICE diagnostic tests, will help enable more accurate diagnosis. Over 120,000 patients a year, 30% of the asthma population, are wrongly diagnosed and given inappropriate medication. This innovation aims to reduce the use of steroids and improve diagnosis, enabling correct adjustments or the right medication to be prescribed. FeNO is indicative of the severity of airway inflammation.
Less than 50% of severe asthma patients have eosinophil-driven disease (Wenzel 2005) and Biologics are designed to control the number of eosinophil cells (Asthma UK). Only 10.8% of eligible severe asthma patients have access to biologic medicines today in the UK. Increasing the use of biologics appropriately would reduce use of Oral corticosteroids (OCS), associated with negative side effects, and exacerbations, causing 75,000 annual UK hospital admissions, each costing £1500.
Quick, accurate blood tests which can help rule out pre-eclampsia are improving care for pregnant women and their unborn babies, reducing anxiety and saving the NHS money. AHSNs are leading a rapid adoption project for these tests into maternity units across the country.
Hospify is the first clinical messaging app to be made available on the NHS Apps Library. The app provides an NHS-compliant platform for sending and receiving messages. It can be used by clinicians to share patient information.
AliveCor developed a portable ECG device to detect undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF). With the AHSN network the product has now been taken up across 11 AHSN areas and has contributed to the detection of 365 patients with undiagnosed AF in one year. This means that the equivalent of one stroke per day has been prevented by this work, saving lives, reducing disability, and saving almost £8.5 million for the NHS and social care service.
