Best Guide to the Rising NHS Respiratory Crisis and What It Means for Patients

Shoppers are waking up to worrying figures as lung problems drive a surge in emergency NHS admissions this winter, leaving hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed. Patients, clinicians and Asthma and Lung UK say patchy routine care and higher viral activity have combined to create repeat A&E visits and dangerous winter spikes.

• Steep rise: Emergency admissions for respiratory conditions climbed 23% over two years, adding roughly 427,855 extra admissions in England.
• Winter pinch: Last December saw a sharp spike; there were about 1.1 million breathing-related emergency admissions last winter.
• Repeat visits: Around 405,000 “bounceback” re-admissions occurred in a single year, showing people are returning to A&E soon after discharge.
• Care gaps: The charity says inconsistent year-round care and poor routine delivery are driving avoidable emergencies; patients report trouble getting GP or specialist appointments.
• Action needed: Campaigners are calling for a national respiratory strategy and better vaccination coverage to cut winter pressure.

Why so many people are ending up in A&E with breathing problems

Hospitals are seeing more people with asthma, COPD and chest infections, and the trend is painfully visible when the mercury drops. Patients describe breathlessness, coughs that won’t ease and a panicked rush to A&E when inhalers or simple community care fail to keep symptoms in check. The rise is not subtle , emergency admissions jumped sharply between 2022–23 and 2024–25, with a clear December surge last winter.

Clinicians point to a mix of factors: more seasonal viruses, high flu levels, and up-and-down access to routine checks. That combination means problems that could be managed at home or in a GP clinic instead escalate to emergencies, which adds stress for patients and staff alike. It smells like a system straining at the seams.

How gaps in routine care turn treatable problems into crises

Asthma and Lung UK argues that inconsistent, year-round care is the root cause of regular winter crises. When routine follow-ups, action plans and medication reviews don’t happen, people miss early warning signs. Patients report waiting for GP appointments or specialist referrals until symptoms have already worsened, then needing more intensive, urgent treatment.

In real terms that looks like avoidable hospital stays, more time in A&E corridors and higher risk of complications such as pneumonia. One patient, who’s been admitted several times, says quicker, predictable access to care would have prevented many trips to hospital. That human detail underlines the numbers: this isn’t just statistics, it’s people left breathless.

What the NHS and government say they’re doing about it

Officials say they recognise the pressure and have ramped up preparations for winter, from stress-testing hospital plans to expanding vaccination and GP appointments. NHS England highlights work with local teams to protect the most vulnerable and urges people to get the flu jab. The Department of Health and Social Care points to efforts to shift care into communities and deliver more GP access as part of a long-term plan.

But campaigners say these measures don’t yet tackle the inconsistent delivery of routine respiratory care. A national, coordinated respiratory strategy is the big ask from Asthma and Lung UK , the charity believes only a unified focus will reduce admissions and save lives.

Simple things patients and families can do right now

If you or someone you care for has a lung condition, small practical steps can make a big difference. Book and attend regular medication reviews, keep a written asthma or COPD action plan, and ensure inhaler technique is checked by a clinician. Get seasonal vaccinations, avoid known triggers where possible, and seek help early when symptoms change rather than waiting.

For carers, learn the signs of worsening breathing , faster rate, chest tightness, new confusion or blue lips , and don’t hesitate to call emergency services. These sensory cues matter; they can be the difference between a GP-managed flare and an overnight hospital stay.

Why a national strategy could change the picture

A coordinated national plan would mean consistent standards for routine reviews, better access to pulmonary rehab and clearer pathways from community care to specialist support. That could reduce the repeat admissions and the winter spikes that now dominate headlines. Clinicians say a strategy would also help workforce planning and ensure staff are in the right places when winter hits.

It’s worth remembering this is preventable in many cases. Better prevention, earlier intervention and predictable routine care feel like obvious medicine , but they require policy focus and funding to become reality.

Ready to keep breathe-easy this season? Check whether you or a loved one is up to date with flu and other vaccinations, book a routine review, and look up local respiratory support services today.