World Asthma Day 2007

England: The Asthma Divide
Asthma UK has produced a report, entitled 'The Asthma Divide - inequalities in asthma care for people with asthma in England', that reveals shocking disparities in asthma control, arising from inadequate service provision in certain areas.

The report reveals that people in north-west England are 65% more likely to need emergency hospital treatment for asthma than those in the east of England. The worst performing Primary Care Trust (PCT) is Heart of Birmingham Teaching, which has an admission rate of 114% above average. The best performing PCT is Uttlesford, which has an admission rate of 64% below average.

Read the report in full (1708 kb)
View a league table of emergency admissions (127 kb)
Emergency admissions listed by region (116 kb)

Northern Ireland: The State of Play
Asthma UK has produced a report, entitled 'The State of Play – asthma emergency care in Northern Ireland', that reveals the devastating impact that the condition continues to have on people's lives.

In addition, the charity distributed free information about asthma in major shopping centres throughout Northern Ireland.
Download the report (178 kb)

Scotland
Asthma UK's Executive Director of Research and Policy, Jenny Versnel, addressed the Asthma and Respiratory Disease Conference at Glasgow University on 2 May.

Wales
Asthma UK staff, supporters and volunteers were out in force in central Cardiff, distributing bilingual information packs about asthma. Members of the public also had the opportunity to talk to an asthma nurse.

Asthma UK held high profile Parliamentary receptions in Westminster and Northern Ireland where both reports were launched.

At Westminster, MPs were given the opportunity to sign a pledge to support Asthma UK’s campaign to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. Dr Howard Stoate MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Asthma, hosted the event with speeches from Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services in the Department of Health, Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP, Chair of the Health Select Committee, Donna Covey, Chief Executive Asthma UK and Vicki Chester-Walsh, who has asthma.

Asthma UK Northern Ireland also launched its report, 'The State of Play – asthma emergency care in Northern Ireland' at a lunchtime reception at Stormont. David Ford MLA (Alliance) hosted this event, which was addressed by Michael Gimpsey MLA (UUP), Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety designate, political party health spokespeople, a GP Specialist in Asthma and person with asthma who spoke about his experiences.

Asthma UK has produced the Emergency Asthma Care Pack, a new resource to assist healthcare professionals who work in settings where they are likely to encounter people having an asthma attack and ensure a better level of service for people with asthma.

Emergency Asthma Care Pack (4933 kb)

Asthma UK's health information materials for people with asthma have been developed by healthcare professionals and tested by people with asthma. They provide people with asthma and their carers with health information, support and advice and can be ordered online. Among the materials available are:

Asthma Attack Card
A credit card sized card designed to inform people with asthma and those around them about what to do during an asthma attack. The card is recommended for everyone with asthma.
Find out more

Be In Control Pack
A range of resources for people with asthma, including a personal asthma action plan, a peak flow diary, information on asthma reviews and an asthma medicine card.
Find out more

To find out more about Asthma UK's work or order information, call our Supporter and Information Team on 08456 03 81 43 or emailinfo@asthma.org.uk.