New Data Highlights Urgent Need for Better Asthma Care – How FeNO Testing Can Help Reduce Hospitalisations

Research from Asthma + Lung UK has found a significant rise in Accident and Emergency (A&E) visits from people experiencing breathing issues such as asthma. Asthma + Lung UK is a British charity formed in January 2020, with a dedication to improving respiratory health by focusing on asthma and lung diseases. The latest research shows over 42,000 patients ended up in emergency care in 2023/24 after visiting five or more times within the last 12 months, a 22.9% rise compared to the previous year1. Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a world leader in breath analysis, is calling for a wider adoption of Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing to improve asthma management and reduce unnecessary hospitalisations.

The latest joint guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) recommend FeNO testing for asthma management in adults2. FeNO testing with the NObreath® is a non-invasive way for healthcare professionals to monitor airway inflammation, which is commonly found in asthma.

By including FeNO testing in regular asthma reviews, healthcare professionals can check a patient's adherence to medication and adjust treatment plans. This allows better asthma control, which, in turn, reduces the need for emergency care.
An Asthma + Lung UK poll of 3,428 patients found that 49% said follow-up appointments were not offered for their condition1. The latest guidelines state that follow-up appointments and annual treatment reviews should be conducted for anyone who has ended up in emergency care2.

“Current NHS data shows a worrying pattern, asthma patients are repeatedly visiting hospitals without receiving the follow-up care they need,” said Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®. “FeNO testing can bridge this gap by providing early, precise insight into airway inflammation, ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time.”

With asthma-related hospital visits on the rise, Bedfont® joins Asthma + Lung UK in calling for the government to prioritise lung health in the upcoming 10-year health plan to prevent lung health from “falling to the bottom of the pile.” Greater investment in FeNO testing in primary care could reduce asthma hospital admissions.

Bedfont® is dedicated to improving respiratory health through innovative technology. The NObreath® FeNO device helps healthcare professionals diagnose and manage asthma accurately, reducing exacerbations and unnecessary hospital visits. Click here to discover how the NObreath® revolutionises asthma care.

References

• Surge in repeat hospital visits for lung conditions [Internet]. Asthma + Lung UK. 2025 [cited 2025 Mar 18]. Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/media/press-releases/surge-repeat-hospital-visits-lung-conditions
• ‌NICE. Overview | Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. NICE; 2024. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG245