Hoover support for emergency care
24 November 2005

People with asthma will be given a helping hand to manage their condition and prevent life-threatening attacks, thanks to a £180,000 project funded by the Hoover Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hoover Candy Group.

The Hoover Foundation has supported two new booklets produced by Asthma UK: 'After your Asthma Attack' and 'After your Child's Asthma Attack' aim to inform people about the care and treatment they should receive following emergency care for an asthma attack, and that should help to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Currently one in four people who go to hospital because of an asthma attack receive no information about follow-up treatment, and one in six will need to return for emergency care within two weeks.

Yet 75% of hospital admissions for asthma are preventable: follow-up care is vital in enabling people to get their symptoms back under control and help prevent further attacks.

Asthma UK research shows that only 35% of people with asthma feel they know what to do after an attack and 51% feel that they have not received enough care afterwards.

The booklets are being given to all healthcare professionals who treat adults and children at the time of an asthma attack.

David Lunt, Trustee of the Hoover Foundation and Vice President Human Resources at Hoover Candy, said: 'As a company whose products are centred around caring for the home and family, we are proud to have worked with Asthma UK since 2001 as our strategic long-term charity.

'The Hoover Foundation aims to be involved with causes at grassroots level, supporting practical projects that can make a difference to people's lives,' he added.

'These new booklets contain expert medical advice on how to manage asthma and where to ask for help. I am sure they will make a big contribution to improving the lives of people with asthma for many years to come.'

For more information on corporate partnerships with Asthma UK contact Liz Nield (020 7786 4989; email Liz Nield)