Emergency hospital admissions for pneumonia in England have soared, reaching 579,475 cases in the year to March 2025. This marks a significant 25 per cent increase compared to the figures from two years prior (April 2022-March 2023), according to an analysis by Asthma + Lung UK. Pneumonia is now the single biggest cause of emergency admissions, placing immense strain on already overwhelmed hospital services. This alarming rise is prompting urgent calls for improved respiratory care and preventative measures.
The charity describes this increase as deeply concerning, noting that pneumonia, a condition often considered preventable, is significantly contributing to pressure on emergency departments and inpatient beds across the NHS. The data reveals a worrying trend, which experts attribute to deficiencies in basic care, low vaccination coverage, and broader social determinants of health. The 579,475 emergency hospitalisations between April 2024 and March 2025 represent a jump from 461,995 cases recorded between April 2022 and March 2023. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that over 97,000 hospital-related deaths were associated with pneumonia between April 2022 and March 2025, underscoring its fatal potential.
Experts and Asthma + Lung UK point to multiple drivers for the surge. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for Asthma + Lung UK, highlights the long-term neglect of basic respiratory care, including regular clinical reviews and vaccination uptake, which has left many vulnerable. Secondly, wider social determinants, such as poor housing conditions (cold, damp, mould-prone homes), are increasing lung vulnerability and infection risk. Analysis indicates that people in the most deprived areas are significantly more likely to be hospitalised, reflecting how health inequalities worsen respiratory disease. Finally, seasonal respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), continue to circulate at high levels, particularly in winter, adding to the burden of pneumonia cases and consuming hospital capacity.
Pneumonia's dominance as the leading cause of emergency admissions severely strains the NHS. Health leaders warn that this surging respiratory demand contributes to A&E congestion, longer waits, and delayed transfers of care. In response, Asthma + Lung UK has renewed calls for a national respiratory strategy focused on prevention, early intervention, and integrated care. The charity advocates for better access to vaccinations (including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines), routine management reviews, and rehabilitation support to reduce avoidable admissions. Public health experts also stress the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, adherence to NICE guidance, and crucially, addressing health inequalities through improvements in housing quality and socioeconomic support to tackle susceptibility to respiratory infections.
