Asthma in Northern Ireland - the true picture revealed
'A Moving Picture - Asthma in Northern Ireland Today' reveals the true extent of how asthma affects people in Northern Ireland and describes the standards of care that they receive.
The report also details that people's confidence in how Health and Social Services handles asthma emergencies is low.
Marjory Burns, Executive Director of Asthma UK Northern Ireland said: 'Asthma is a condition that should be controllable with modern treatments and specialist training yet we still see an unacceptable level of hospital admissions for asthma emergencies. 75% of hospital admissions and 90% of asthma deaths are preventable. We would like to see every person with asthma have a personal action plan to help them take control of their asthma.'
One shocking statistic from the report shows that asthma has a real and all-pervading effect on people's lives with only 1 in 4 people with asthma in Northern Ireland expecting their medicines to control their asthma. The survey also revealed that people with asthma in Northern Ireland have low expectations - four out of five are still experiencing daily asthma symptoms and yet their confidence in local health care practitioners and routine care is higher than anywhere else in the UK.
Dr Vincent McGovern, GP and part-time Medical Officer in Respiratory Medicine, Belfast City Hospital added: 'It is important to ensure that people with asthma understand that for the majority of people, their condition can be effectively controlled and that there is no reason why they should be experiencing symptoms every day. Their GP or practice nurse should be giving advice about how their asthma might change over time and what they can do to control their symptoms. Using a reliever inhaler three times a week or more or even waking up once a week, indicates that they should discuss their symptoms with their GP or nurse. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to monitor who is due for an asthma review and to check that their symptoms are not taking over their lives.'
Ms Burns further commented: 'Healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland need to review the way people with asthma are cared for. Asthma UK Northern Ireland is calling for healthcare professionals to put Asthma UK's ten-point Asthma Charter into practice. The Charter outlines the standards of care that a person with asthma should expect. GPs and practice nurses should also be following the BTS/SIGN Guideline on the management of asthma to improve care, save lives and keep people out of hospital.'
As part of Asthma UK's commitment to working with healthcare professionals, the charity is providing all GPs and practice nurses in Northern Ireland with new tools for controlling asthma - the Be in Control pack, which includes an asthma action plan and a guide to carrying out an asthma review as well as basic information for people with asthma.
ENDS
For media queries about this story, call Will Chambré on 028 9066 1006 or 07736 230585.
Download 'A Moving Picture' (PDF 380KB)
Notes to Editors:
1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK. Asthma UK works with people with asthma, healthcare professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives.
2. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline.
3. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk
Contact
Media Office
T: 020 7704 5841
F: 020 7704 5933
E: mediaoffice@asthma.org.uk
asthma.org.uk/news/press100.php
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