In England, there has been a 25% increase in emergency hospital admissions for pneumonia over the past two years. Analysis of NHS data shows 579,475 cases of pneumonia were admitted between April 2024 and March 2025. This figure includes patients admitted for pneumonia and those who got it in hospital and needed emergency care. GPs have been urged to get the basics right when treating patients with respiratory disease. The charity Asthma+Lung UK carried out the analysis and said that many cases of pneumonia could be prevented by better basic care for people with existing respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She warned that the numbers are likely to rise further after another tough flu season. Andy Whittamore is the charity's Clinical Lead.