How to generate innovative locally commissioned services
This presentation showcases the development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative locally commissioned service designed to address asthma care and air pollution in Newham, North East London—an area with the UK's highest pollution-related mortality rates. The initiative exemplifies multidisciplinary collaboration between GPs, community pharmacists, commissioners, and environmental health experts.
The Newham Asthma and Air Quality Service targeted children under 18 prescribed inhalers, aiming to improve asthma management, reduce reliance on reliever inhalers, and lower the carbon footprint of primary care. Community Pharmacists were trained to deliver consultations covering air pollution education, inhaler use, and environmental health strategies.
Over 600 consultations were conducted across 13 pharmacies between November 2023 and May 2025 with strong engagement from primary care and positive feedback from patients and families. Evaluation data revealed significant improvements in patient understanding of asthma and air pollution, inhaler technique, and confidence in managing symptoms. Pharmacists reported increased capability and satisfaction, while primary care teams noted enhanced early intervention and reduced emergency visits.
The service demonstrates the power of locally tailored, cross-sector health interventions. It highlights the potential for community pharmacy to play a pivotal role in public health promotion and chronic disease management. With plans for wider rollout and publication of findings, this model offers valuable insights for commissioners, clinicians, and policymakers seeking scalable, cost-effective solutions to improve respiratory health and environmental equity.
- Identify key elements of innovative locally commissioned services
- Review the Newham Asthma and Air Quality service
- Understand the impact of the service on patients, pharmacists and primary care colleagues
- Identify key successes of multi-disciplinary working
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