MISSON Project Launched to Improve Respiratory Care in Greater Manchester

This initiative will see the implementation of the LungHealth software across up to 150 GP practices over two years, aiming to improve care for patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The software integrates national and international guidelines with patients' medical records to support computer-guided consultations, either remotely or face-to-face.

MISSON is the largest regional rollout of LungHealth software in the UK and aims to assess whether the technology can improve the quality, effectiveness, and consistency of reviews, while reducing the impact of asthma and COPD exacerbations on both patients and the NHS. Early estimates suggest NHS England could save up to £65.6 million in the first year, with an initial investment of £30.9 million. Data gathered during the project will help inform NHS decision-making on the long-term adoption of technology to enhance respiratory reviews.

The project is launching in response to significant gaps in asthma and COPD care. In the UK, over five million people have asthma, and 1.4 million living with COPD. Although guidelines recommend annual reviews for respiratory patients, only 30% of people with asthma and fewer than 20% of those with COPD receive even basic care. Issues include delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, poor disease management, and insufficient guidance and support. Greater Manchester has a particularly high prevalence of these conditions, with emergency hospital admissions 30% higher than the national average.

Ralph Blom, General Manager of Chiesi UK and Ireland, said, “At Chiesi, we’re dedicated to improving patient outcomes through innovative solutions that support healthcare professionals, the wider NHS, and enhance patient care. This partnership is integral to delivering better care for people with respiratory diseases, easing healthcare workloads, and meeting the unmet needs of our local communities. We’re excited to see the positive impact it can have.”

LungHealth software helps healthcare professionals carry out high-quality, consistent reviews in line with national standards. It guides history-taking, suggests guideline-based treatments, and features a dashboard to track review outcomes. The software can be used to inform actions during annual reviews, ensuring patients are engaged in managing their condition. It also highlights community support services like pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation, while providing clinical prompts to upskill healthcare staff.