GPs were written to at the start of the 2024 informing you of the launch of new air quality alerts for health and care professionals in London, which – during this initial phase – will deliver alerts to all General Practices (GPs) and Emergency Departments (ED) in London. This letter provides more information on the development of the alerts and what they mean for GPs and ED staff.
What are the new air quality alerts?
The London Air Quality and Health Programme Office has collaborated with a wide range of partners across London’s health and care system and the Mayor of London to develop the UK’s first targeted air quality alerts for health professionals in London.
The air quality alert will be delivered directly to GPs and EDs the day before an episode of high or very high air pollution is forecast. It builds upon the Mayor of London’s existing air quality alert system which currently delivers alerts to schools and other London stakeholders. The alerts are triggered by forecasts from Imperial College London.
The air quality alerts for GPs and EDs will be issued jointly by NHSE London and the Mayor of London and will be disseminated via email by the London Regional Operations Centre. The alerts will provide:
- Clear, evidence-based guidance to support person-centred conversations with patients and carers.
- Advice on how to reduce exposure and contribution to air pollution.
The development of the air quality alerts 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.
An example of the alert messaging is included at Appendix 1.
Why are we introducing air quality alerts for health professionals?
In the UK, air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO)’s 2022 Annual Report on air pollution highlights that air pollution affects people’s health throughout their lives, from before birth to old age. London has the highest mortality burden attributable to air pollution of any English region and London’s most vulnerable citizens are disproportionately impacted.
Health harms come from long-term exposure to air pollution (over years or lifetime) and short-term exposure to elevated levels of air pollution. Short-term exposure (over hours or days) to elevated levels can also cause a range of health impacts, including effects on lung function, exacerbation of asthma, increases in respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions and mortality.
There are several ways to help reduce the risk of ill health, disease, and premature death. As health professionals, you have a powerful role to play in educating and protecting your patients against the negative effects of air pollution. The need to support health professionals to strengthen this role was highlighted in the Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths Report following the inquest into the death of 9-year-old Londoner Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death, and in the CMO’s 2022 Annual Report on air pollution.
These new alerts will help to raise awareness of air pollution and the associated health effects among health professionals and equip you with the information you need to advise and support your patients and carers and to help reduce the burden of preventable harm.
How many alerts do we expect to issue each year?
We anticipate that alerts will be triggered four to five times a year.
What are we asking you to do?
- Familiarise yourself with the content of the alert in Appendix 1 and consider how you could incorporate this guidance and advice into practice.
- Visit Global Action Plan’s Clean Air Hub for training videos for health professionals and for downloadable information and resources that you can share with patients and display in your practice or department.
Discuss air pollution and these new alerts in your team or practice meetings.