• Mayor’s new air quality alert will directly notify London’s health professionals of high and very high air pollution episodes
• This is the first healthcare-targeted air pollution alert of its kind in the UK
• Clinicians will be better equipped to advise and support patients and their carers regarding the health effects of air pollution
• Nineteen high and 217 moderate pollution alerts have been issued since 2018, increasing Londoners’ awareness of air pollution and enabling them to take steps to protect their health.

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today written to all London GP practices and NHS emergency departments announcing plans to improve the way that healthcare professionals are informed about incidents of poor air quality in the capital.

 

Developed by the Mayor, NHS England and other partners, new alerts will directly notify clinicians in GP practices and emergency departments across the capital via email about high and very high pollution episodes — the first healthcare air pollution alert of its kind in the UK. This will help recipients increase their patients’ awareness about the health impacts of air pollution and better support those at greater risk, such as adults and children with heart or lung problems.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that air pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to human health. It impairs children’s lung growth, increases the risk of lung cancer, heart and lung disease, and causes premature death. Short-term exposure to high levels of pollution can trigger or worsen people’s asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) symptoms. In London, asthma is one of the top three causes of emergency admission to hospital each year for children, underlining the need to better support health professionals in communicating the adverse effects of air pollution to patients.

 

The new alert has been informed by the best available evidence and extensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and experts, including academics, clinical networks, third sector partners, behavioural scientists, ethicists, and clinicians. The alert provides information for health care professionals to use with patients, including on inhaler use and physical activity during high pollution episodes as well as advice on the steps individuals can take to reduce their contribution to air pollution.

 

The Mayor launched London’s air quality alerts system in 2016 to help Londoners manage their exposure to toxic air episodes. Since the Environmental Research Group, currently based at Imperial College London, was appointed London’s duty forecaster in 2018, 19 high and 217 moderate pollution alerts have been issued, enabling Londoners to increase their awareness of air pollution and take steps to protect their health.

 

The alert system uses forecasts from experts at Imperial College London to notify Londoners, schools and boroughs, and now GPs and emergency departments, the day before and during the worst episodes of air pollution. High pollution alerts are also already displayed at public locations across London, including on all bus stop countdown signs, as well as on the Underground and on roadside signs.

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We know that filthy air can have devastating effects on our health, and it’s vital Londoners know how they can best protect themselves. London’s healthcare professionals are trusted voices in their communities and play a powerful role in increasing awareness around the risks of air pollution. By launching the UK’s first targeted healthcare air quality alert, we’re empowering London’s frontline clinicians to stay informed and better support their patients. Together, we’re ensuring that every Londoner has the knowledge and resources to protect themselves and their loved ones from the health effects of toxic air pollution, to build a better London for everyone.”

 

The new alert compliments the Mayor’s other ambitious air quality achievements, including expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide to transform the capital into the world's largest clean air zone of its kind. The Mayor is also accelerating TfL's transition to a cleaner bus fleet, having already delivered over 1,300 electric buses to create the largest zero emission bus fleet in western Europe, as well as facilitating the transition to zero emission cars and vans, with London having more than one third of all the UK’s electric vehicle charge points.

 

Dr Chris Streather, Medical Director and Chief Clinical Information Officer, NHS England London, said: “This new alert system is important step towards educating and protecting our patients against the negative effects of air pollution.  By delivering targeted air quality alerts to London’s healthcare professionals, we are empowering our frontline NHS staff to provide informed care and support for our communities' wellbeing.”

 

Dr Karen Exley, air quality lead for the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Improving air quality is a key public health priority for London, and tackling pollution is crucial to reducing the health impacts and disparities seen across communities throughout the city.

“Air pollution presents a very real risk to the health of all Londoners. Children, older people and those with heart disease or respiratory conditions like asthma can be particularly affected, as well as those living in highly polluted areas.

“The new air quality alerting system will help frontline clinicians inform their patients about periods of high/very high air pollution and the steps they can take to protect their health.”

 

Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE, Chair of Council, Royal College of General Practitioners said: "Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats to human health. This new system aims to support GPs to better understand when the danger caused by poor air quality is at its worst, and to inform our patients of the potential impact on their health and give appropriate advice accordingly. As such, the RCGP supports this scheme and we hope that if it proves successful, it can be rolled out to other areas with high levels of pollution."

 

Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, Regional Director, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (London) said:

"Despite significant progress in recent years, air pollution remains the single biggest environmental threat to population health in London and a key environmental cause of health inequalities.   London’s new alerting system harnesses the critical role that health professionals can play in raising awareness of air pollution, and as sources of trusted advice for patients and carers on minimising the health harms associated with air pollution exposure."

 

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE said: “I am delighted that London is launching the first healthcare air pollution alert in the UK. After the second inquest into Ella’s death, the Coroner released three recommendations within his Prevention of Future Deaths Report. Today’s announcement of an air quality alert for health professionals helps towards realising the Coroner’s second and third recommendations [to raise public awareness about air pollution and its effects, increasing the capacity to monitor air quality and to improve patient advice about the impacts of air pollution including educating health professionals].  I will continue to campaign for all three of the Coroner’s recommendations to become a reality throughout the UK and will take the London announcement today as a step towards that goal.”

 

Dr Josephine Sauvage, Co-Chair London Air Quality and Health Delivery Group and General Practitioner, North Central London said:

"Recognising the serious impact of poor air quality on health, we must address it as a hidden cause of disease that is linked to disparities in our communities. As a doctor in the community, it is crucial for me to educate my patients on mitigating the risks of air pollution while embracing the outdoor activities that are essential for overall wellbeing. Directing patients to air quality alerts empowers them to manage long-term conditions and prioritise future health."

 

Henry Gregg, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “This announcement of targeted air quality alerts for healthcare professionals is very welcome and will help support them in communicating the terrible impact of high pollution. It is essential that those on the front line dealing everyday with the consequences of air pollution, have the most up to date information and tools needed to provide detailed support to people with lung conditions.

 

“Outdoor exposure to air pollution is a public health emergency – contributing to up to 43,000 early deaths in the UK every year¹. Air pollution triggers symptoms including breathlessness, coughing and wheezing, and in more severe cases these flare-ups can result in life threatening hospitalisations. The weight of evidence showing the health impacts linked to air pollution is growing by the day and this move will enable medical professionals to help mitigate the serious health impacts of high pollution.”