Update and review of Personal Asthma Action Plan

Everyone with asthma should have a Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP) to help them take control of their asthma.

People who do not have a written Personal Asthma Action Plan are four times more likely to have an asthma attack requiring emergency hospital treatment. 

Asthma UK has recently updated our PAAP to bring it more in line with the most recent version of the British Thoracic Society Guidelines on the Management of Asthma.

If you regularly order our PAAP you will notice:

• healthcare professionals can now write in the peak flow limits applicable to each person rather than rely on % guidance 
  
• we now have a large box in Zone 2 for action points. This is to make the PAAP more flexible
  
• some people may need to skip Zone 2 so we have added this statement.
  
• there is now a reference to seasonal symptoms such as hay fever in  Zone 2. This is to remind people to increase their asthma medicines before symptoms start
• we have simplified the wording about taking steroid tablets in Zone 3 we have urged people to seek help before their asthma becomes life threatening. We know that people who take early action have better outcomes.

In 2009 we plan to review all of our Be in Control self-management materials, including the PAAP, by asking people with asthma and healthcare professionals what they like/don’t like about them. We are currently compiling information about management plans to help us start the review.

If you are a healthcare professional, you can contribute by sending in any asthma plans you use or by giving us your feedback on what you like and don’t like about management plans including any new ideas.

If you are a person with asthma, you can send us your comments on our PAAP (good or bad!) to help us improve it.

If you have any comments or questions about the updated PAAP or would like to be involved in our review please contact our Supporter and Information Team info@asthma.org.uk or 0800 121 62 55.