UK: 10 November 2025: Patients in the UK will be able to access
cutting-edge testing for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- the UK's sixth biggest killer - as the NHS rolls out faster, more
accessible diagnostics as an alternative to decades old spirometry
testing. The move promises to have a positive impact on waiting times,
helping patients get the diagnosis and treatment plans they need,
sooner.
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been
working with TidalSense for four years, following an introduction by
Health Innovation East. The ICB is the first in the country to
commission the AI-aided N-Tidal® Diagnose to test for COPD. The GP
federation GP Primary Choice is already providing the test at two
community hubs in Essex, with Suffolk GP Federation and other GP
practices in Suffolk launching on 1 November 2025.
This work has been supported with funding from Health Innovation East,
which is also enabling real-world evaluation of the service delivery.
N-Tidal Diagnose offers an alternative to traditional spirometry
testing for COPD, using AI algorithms to analyse patterns of carbon
dioxide in relaxed breathing, delivering a result that indicates a
high or low likelihood of COPD in as little as five minutes.
Earlier this year, N-Tidal Diagnose became the first new
non-spirometry-based COPD diagnostic test to receive certification
under EU Medical Device Regulations. It is now set to be deployed in
various regions across the UK.
"COPD is the sixth leading cause of death in the UK. Addressing
challenges across the care pathway is critical to improving patient
outcomes," said Dr Ameera Patel, CEO of TidalSense. "Spirometry, the
traditional diagnostic test for COPD, can often be difficult for
patients to perform and may produce unreliable results. With only
around 2,600 ARTP-certified spirometry practitioners across the UK,
many patients face long waiting times of weeks or even months to
access testing. New technologies like N-Tidal Diagnose offer the
potential to speed up testing, reduce waiting times, and support
earlier and more accurate diagnosis, allowing patients to access the
care they need sooner and improving long-term outcomes."
She continued: "The Government has made clear its plans to harness
technology to support transformation in the NHS. N-Tidal Diagnose has
been developed and validated through clinical evidence generated over
the last 10 years, creating the high-quality evidence required for
regulatory approval. I'm delighted that SNEE ICB has become the first
ICB to make the test available to its population."
Nerinda Evans, Director of Strategic Commissioning, NHS Suffolk and
North East Essex ICB, said: "More than 21,000 patients are already
diagnosed with COPD locally and the condition represents a significant
and ongoing challenge for our health system. The rollout of N-Tidal
Diagnose reflects the ICB's commitment to innovation in respiratory
care, enabling faster diagnosis and earlier intervention. This
proactive approach also empowers patients to manage their condition at
an earlier stage, supporting them to live healthier lives for longer."
Clacton resident Stephen King was one of the first to trial the
device. He said: "I was so surprised that a 10-minute appointment
actually took less than 10 minutes. Usually, 10 minutes means it will
turn into half an hour, so it was great when I finished the test and
the nurse said 'okay, all done'!"
COPD affects around three million people in the UK. It costs the NHS
£1.9 billion annually and contributes to more than 30,000 deaths each
year. Many patients face lengthy delays and misdiagnoses, which can
lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.
Patients with COPD symptoms will be referred for assessment by their
GP.
Laura Cook, Chief Operating Officer from GP Primary Choice, the GP
federation for North East Essex, said: "We're really excited to
introduce this breakthrough point-of-care diagnostic test for COPD for
patients referred onto the diagnostic pathway. N-Tidal is now fully
integrated into our spirometry pathway, providing rapid assessments in
under five minutes, reducing unnecessary referrals and delays, and
supporting better long-term outcomes for our population. This launch
highlights GP Primary Choice's commitment to embracing innovation,
enhancing patient experience, and tackling the growing burden of
respiratory disease in our communities.
"It's really exciting to be the first GP federation in the country
offering N-Tidal Diagnose, and embracing one of the many ways that
technology can help us deliver a better health service locally."