Asthma UK advice for practice nurses
12 August 2010

Elaine Gillard, asthma nurse specialist at Asthma UK, says: ‘Children’s admissions for asthma peak annually in September, which coincides with the start of the new school year. There are a number of possible factors involved, including the spreading of colds and viruses, the potential stresses that a new school term can bring and children not taking their regular preventer medicine over the summer holidays.
 
We therefore urge practice nurses to dedicate time to completing Personal Asthma Action Plans for children with asthma, as despite their known benefits and prominent place in clinical guidelines, we know there is huge variability in their use by practice nurses (only 40% of nurses in the North of England say their practice normally use them compared with 78% of nurses in the South).

Supporting families to use self-management tools such as action plans and encouraging better control will reduce costly hospital admissions at a very busy time, so it’s vital that practice nurses are supported with the appropriate training and resources. Asthma UK also offers a confidential Adviceline (0800 121 62 44), staffed by asthma nurse specialists who are happy to advise practice nurses on all aspects of using Personal Asthma Action Plans. 

Notes to Editors

1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
2. Follow Asthma UK’s media team on Twitter, at Twitter.com/AsthmaUKMedia
3. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk
4. kickasthma.org.ukis Asthma UK’s interactive website for children and young people with asthma. The site offers support and advice and includes an asthma dictionary, problem page, games and a messageboard.
5. 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 0800 121 62 44