Breathing Innovation into Lung Health, Wellness & Wealth

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News Bulletin

RIW on the Healthy Homes Bill at the House of Lords

Our society is facing unprecedented challenges. Exacerbated by an ageing population, escalating demand for services the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the climate crisis this represent the bleakest outlook for our future generation since the second world war.

About Us

We believe that in RIW we have the opportunity to translate a good idea into products and approaches that will improve respiratory health and well-being in Wales and beyond.

Our vision is to be a world leading gateway for respiratory innovation.

Our mission is to “Collaborate to Innovate” bringing together NHS, Academia and Industry to accelerate and translate respiratory innovation.

Our Services:

Advisory and Consultancy to organisations seeking expertise as they develop or enhance respiratory products and treatments;
Education and Training to organisations and individuals seeking real world insights to benefit their practice and understanding;
Undertaking our own Research and collaborating with other organisations and academics for maximum impact.

Projects

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Our Team

Meet our people

Our team of experienced technical staff, consultants and affiliates have extensive knowledge and access within the local and greater health community.

Respiratory Statistics

Overall deaths in Wales - 1 in 7 is linked to respiratory disease

14.28%

Asthma sufferers in Wales - Over 314,00 people

10%

Total UK research expenditure allocated to respitatory health

Finding ways to prevent respiratory disease, to manage and treat it more effectively, would bring about substantial benefits to health outcomes and concomitantly reduce a considerable economic burden. Additionally, focusing on economic development opportunities for those looking to innovate and develop novel and effective diagnostics, preventative devices, and better disease management strategies and treatments would make an impact.

It is estimated that the number of COPD patients in Wales, like the rest of the UK, is significantly under reported.

Multiple areas within the counties of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Wrexham and Flintshire have a relative risk for COPD that is significantly higher than the UK average.

A higher percentage of patients in Wales are being treated for asthma (6.9%) than in other parts of the UK.

People living in areas of high deprivation are more likely to be receiving treatment for respiratory conditions than elsewhere in Wales.

Wales has a smoking prevalence of 19% and a prevalence of overweight and obese adults of 59%.

The total costs of all respiratory illness were estimated to be £165 billion including intangible costs. Excluding intangible costs proves an estimated total cost of £11.1 billion, representing 0.6% of UK GDP in 2014.

There are 49,000 unplanned hospital admissions each year for respiratory conditions in Wales with the majority being emergency admissions. The total cost of inpatient admissions in Wales in 2013/14 for just COPD and asthma amounted to over £250 million.

The total cost for prescribing for respiratory medicine in NHS Wales primary care from July 2013–June 2014 was £85.4 million. These costs relate to 5,531,434 items prescribed. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone cost £55.3 million followed by bronchodilators at £23.6 million.

Despite the above costs, the ratio of research funding to costs for respiratory disease compared to other diseases is disappointingly low. Only 1.68% of total UK research expenditure is allocated to the respiratory health category.

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