World Asthma Day - Asthma UK "Wish You Were Here?" Report

To mark World Asthma Day (Tuesday 6 May) Asthma UK launched a UK-wide campaign that highlighted a shocking divide in health and quality of life for people with asthma depending on where they live. Asthma UK have published a report that highlighted significant disparities in asthma control, partially related to inadequate service provision in certain areas. The "Wish You Were Here?" Report (pdf) is attached for your information. We are firstly supporting the Asthma UK Charity's call on government and healthcare providers to deliver high quality services for the 5.2 million people - including 1.1 million children - with asthma, regardless of where they live in the UK and demand that the current postcode lottery of service provision and inequalities is abolished.

Asthma-Aware

Secondly we are joining with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in calling on bosses and workers to be asthma-aware this month.

Occupational asthma continues to be a major issue in the workplace, costing 18 million working days each year. Over the course of a decade, this is estimated to cost £1.1 billion. Asthma is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening condition for sufferers, but it's often forgotten about. Many of us will not know which of our colleagues have asthma and many of us would know what to do if a colleague suddenly suffered an attack.

Work can unfortunately be the cause of asthma. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates between 1,500 and 3,000 people develop occupational asthma each year, rising to 7,000 if you include the number of people who suffer asthma made worse by their work.

Asthma is something we all need to be more aware of. Asthma sufferers should be encouraged to make colleagues aware of their condition, and if they're doing something that might trigger an attack make them aware of this also.

Exposure to dust, fumes or excess stress can develop asthma. Asthmatics that work in highly susceptible jobs should make sure that the employer protects them properly from things that could trigger an attack.

What to do in an Asthma Attack: A Pocket Guide

Below is a copy of the Asthma UK (Charity) pocket guide "What to do in an asthma attack" These can be obtained in bulk from Asthma UK for distribution to Asthma sufferers who can fill in personal details and carry the pocket guide with them. Posters and other leaflets are available also.

The Pocket Guide sets out:

Commonest Signs of an Attack: What You Should Do?

· Coughing >Keep Calm - do not panic

· Being short of breath >Make sure the person take two puffs of reliever (blue) inhaler

· Wheezy breathing >Loosen tight clothing

· feeling of tight chest >Reassure the person

· being unusually quiet

If No immediate improvement

· DURING THE ATTACK, continue to give the person one puff of reliever (blue) inhaler every minute for five minutes or until the symptoms improve.

· DON'T hug the person or lie him/her down - this will restrict breathing.

· LISTEN to what the person is saying - they have had attacks before.

· RELIEVER medicine is very safe. During the attack don't worry about overdosing.

· ASK your doctor for an Asthma action plan.

Call 999 or a Doctor urgently if

· My symptoms do not improve in 5-10 minutes

· I am too breathless or exhausted to talk

· My lips are blue

· OR IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT

For people with asthma: Make the most of your asthma review

People with asthma are also being encouraged to play their part by taking control of their asthma. Asthma UK's resource 'Making the most of your asthma review' provides clear guidance on what to ask a GP or asthma nurse during an annual asthma review and outlines the level of service they should expect. See attached pdf copy in English and Welsh.

If you would like further information call Asthma UK's Supporter and Information Team on 08456038143 or email info@asthma.org.uk.