Supporting respiratory pathway transformation across the East Midlands

The Respiratory Transformation Partnership (RTP) brings together NHS England, the Office for Life Sciences, NHS systems, leading industry partners and health innovation networks to drive whole‑pathway transformation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), addressing unmet need and making better use of innovative treatments and technology.

Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) is supporting delivery of RTP across the East Midlands, working alongside integrated care systems (ICSs), providers and clinical leaders to support systems to translate national ambition into locally led delivery.

The challenge

Respiratory disease remains a significant challenge for the NHS and for our local populations:

• Around 1 in 5 people are affected by a respiratory condition during their lifetime.
• It is the third leading cause of death in the UK and a major driver of health inequalities.
• Asthma and COPD contribute to high levels of avoidable hospital admissions, particularly during winter periods.

Despite clear national priorities and advances in treatment, systems continue to experience variation in outcomes, access and pathway delivery, alongside workforce and capacity pressures.

About the RTP

The RTP provides an opportunity for systems to move care closer to home, strengthen prevention and improve access to innovation.

It supports improved outcomes for people with asthma and COPD by focusing on:

• Whole‑pathway transformation across primary, community and specialist care.
• Earlier identification and proactive management of respiratory disease.
• Improved access to guideline‑led care, including biologic therapies.
• Use of data and digital tools to support targeted interventions.
• Strengthening workforce capability and shared learning.

HIEM’s role in the East Midlands

HIEM acts as an enabling partner for systems across the East Midlands, providing coordination and support to help systems engage with and benefit from the RTP.

We work with ICBs, providers and clinical networks to:

• Support system mobilisation and engagement with the programme.
• Coordinate stakeholders across organisations and geographies.
• Align local activity to national RTP priorities and opportunities.
• Provide bid support where appropriate.
• Facilitate shared learning and collaboration across systems.
• Coordinate programme insight and reporting into national structures.

Our approach is flexible and scalable, shaped by local priorities and capacity.

Get involved

We are working with systems across the East Midlands to support engagement with the RTP.

Please get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , if you would like to:

• Learn more about the programme.
• Explore how your organisation can engage with the programme.
• Connect with regional respiratory transformation activity.