The NHS is to be allowed to use the new treatment of bronchial thermoplasty for people with severe asthma, it was announced today.
The treatment involves applying short pulses of radiofrequency energy to the airway wall and requires patients to be under general anaesthetic or sedation.
Its effect is to reduce the smooth muscle mass lining the airways.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said it had reversed its previous opinion on the treatment based on new data about its effectiveness.
Professor Kevin Harris, from NICE, said: “This is a procedure which is innovative and it does work.
“The committee was convinced it was safe enough and works well enough for use with standard arrangements in the NHS.”
Joe Farrington-Douglas, from Asthma UK, said the next step was to ensure the treatment was funded throughout the NHS.
“Making this treatment available to more people could offer much needed hope to thousands of people in the UK who have severe asthma.
“Until now, this treatment has only been available for specific patients at some specialist centres, but these new guidelines could mean more people with the condition could reap the benefits.”
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