Pneumonia Emergency Admissions Exceed Half a Million Annually in England
New analysis of NHS England data has revealed a concerning surge in emergency pneumonia admissions, with cases rising by a quarter over two years to reach more than half a million annually. The figures highlight how preventable cases are exacerbating pressure on already overstretched Accident and Emergency departments across the country.
Alarming Rise in Hospitalisations
Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 579,475 instances of pneumonia requiring emergency hospitalisation, according to analysis by the charity Asthma + Lung UK. This represents a significant increase from the 461,995 cases recorded between April 2022 and March 2023, with experts warning that numbers have likely risen further since the data was collected.
Pneumonia has now become the single biggest cause of emergency admissions in England, responsible for more than double the number of cases of the next most common condition. The human cost is substantial: between April 2022 and March 2025, more than 97,000 people died from pneumonia after being hospitalised.
Systemic Failures in Respiratory Care
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, expressed grave concern about these developments. "These alarming figures are the result of respiratory care being neglected and deprioritised for too long," he stated. "Following recommended basic care guidelines for respiratory conditions can save and transform lives. I've seen first-hand with my patients the dramatic effect good basic care has on reducing hospital admissions."
Dr Whittamore emphasised that failure to implement fundamental care measures leads directly to increasing A&E pressures, rising healthcare costs, and deteriorating health outcomes for people with lung conditions who receive inadequate support.
Understanding Pneumonia and Its Impact
Pneumonia is a serious chest infection that affects the alveoli - tiny air sacs in the lungs - making breathing difficult. It can be caused by bacterial infections or viruses including influenza, RSV, or COVID-19. People with existing lung conditions face significantly higher risks as their lungs' natural defences are already compromised, particularly if their symptoms are poorly managed at home.
The charity's analysis revealed stark health inequalities, showing that people experiencing greater deprivation were 36% more likely to be hospitalised with pneumonia. This disparity often stems from living in damp, mouldy, poorly ventilated housing or areas with high air pollution levels.
Historical Context and Political Dimensions
Professor Nick Hopkinson, medical director at Asthma + Lung UK and a specialist respiratory consultant, noted that pneumonia rates have remained elevated since austerity policies were introduced by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010. "Lung disease is very tied up with inequality," he observed, pointing out that rates only dipped temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic due to social distancing measures.
Professor Hopkinson highlighted that respiratory conditions have never received comparable attention to diseases like cancer and heart disease, despite being the third biggest killer globally. The absence of a comprehensive national strategy means lung conditions are frequently deprioritised in overstretched primary care settings, with preventive measures such as education and awareness-raising perceived as less urgent than other demands.
Calls for National Respiratory Strategy
Asthma + Lung UK is advocating for a national strategy for respiratory illness to implement better basic care provision in community settings like GP practices. Essential care elements include:
- Regular treatment reviews and monitoring
- Personalised action plans developed with clinicians
- Comprehensive vaccination programmes including RSV, flu, and pneumococcal vaccines
Recent research by the charity indicates that only 32% of asthma patients receive all fundamental elements of basic care, while just 8.8% of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) receive comprehensive support. Studies demonstrate that individuals with COPD are four times more likely, and those with asthma three times more likely, to contract pneumonia than the general population.
Personal Testimonies Highlight Systemic Issues
Sabrina Kaur, a nurse who has lived with severe asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD since childhood, described her experience with pneumonia as "crippling." Combined with damage from COVID-19, she found all her conditions became harder to manage, leading to three A&E visits this year alone, often coughing up blood due to airway inflammation.
Despite her medical background, Kaur reported having to conduct her own research and advocate aggressively for timely treatment updates and necessary vaccinations. At 35, she is unusually young for COPD diagnosis and has encountered a "one size fits all" approach from clinicians that fails to address her specific needs.
"You have to be very proactive and it shouldn't have to be like that," Kaur emphasised. "I'd luckily had my pneumonia jab before I was hospitalised and am certain things might have been even worse without it. I imagine there's many people who need the pneumonia jab, who are missing out because they don't even know about it."
NHS Response and Future Directions
Dr Jonathan Fuld, national clinical director for respiratory disease at NHS England, outlined ongoing efforts to address these challenges. "The NHS is working to improve how we proactively support people with respiratory disease during winter," he stated, "with a greater emphasis on remote monitoring and strengthened community support to help people manage their conditions and reduce pressure on hospitals."
Dr Fuld confirmed that the NHS is investing in innovative projects to transform asthma and COPD care in community settings while rolling out new medicines for patients. These initiatives aim to create more sustainable respiratory care pathways that prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and improve long-term health outcomes for vulnerable populations across England.
