Respiratory

Overarching aim: The London Respiratory Clinical Network (LRCN) aims to improve the health outcomes and quality of life and reduce health inequalities for all those living with or at risk of respiratory disease in London, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan. We do this through collective clinical leadership and collaboration with patients, clinicians across primary, secondary and community care, commissioners, and third sector organisations.

More specifically, LRCN aims to promote early and accurate diagnosis of respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD, using quality assured testing, to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate treatment, which may include medicines optimisation and pulmonary rehabilitation. This should be delivered in an equitable and suitable manner across London, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

Key contacts

Clinical Directors:

Dr Irem Patel, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Integrated Care, King’s College Hospital; Joint Director of Clinical Strategy, King’s Health Partners

Dr Sarah Elkin, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Integrated Care, Imperial NHS Trust, Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London

Deputy Director, Clinical Networks and Senate: Bhavi Trivedi

Senior Clinical Programme Manager: Joseph Odior

Clinical Programme Manager: Vacant

Email: england.resp-cnldn@nhs.net

2022/2023 focus areas

Accurate and Timely Diagnosis

  • Support the development of clinical pathway for asthma/COPD diagnosis across London
  • Develop network of respiratory diagnostic hublets in each ICS
  • Build collective community of practice

Medicines optimisation and sustainability

  • Develop and disseminate resources to improve prescribing for patients with respiratory disease
  • Encourage transition to greener inhalers where clinically appropriate to decrease the carbon footprint of inhaled therapy

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR)

  • Increase capacity of PR services across London to ensure timely access and completion of PR programmes
  • Improve quality of services provision through accreditation

Evidence based oxygen therapy

  • Improve the experience and outcomes of patients on oxygen therapy in London through agreed standards of care, benchmarking, continuous quality improvement, staff professional development and clinical consensus

Improve health inequalities

Key Documents

Key websites