Asthma UK Northern Ireland welcomes draft Service Framework for Respiratory Health
21 January 2009

Asthma UK Northern Ireland has welcomed today’s launch of a consultation on the Service Framework for Respiratory Health in Northern Ireland, which aims to improve the lives of 182,000 people with asthma, and those suffering with other respiratory conditions.

Northern Ireland has among the highest prevalence of asthma in the world with around 2,000 people admitted to hospital for their condition every year, almost half of whom are children. As well as the devastating effect on people’s lives, emergency hospital admissions are extremely costly and form a large part of the estimated £1 billion cost of asthma to the NHS/HPSS each year.

The service framework has been developed by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and aims to set out clear targets and deadlines for improving respiratory health in Northern Ireland. The DHSSPS has emphasised the need to improve quality of care, tackle health inequalities and ensure that care plans are tailored to the individual.

Joan O’Hagan, Director of Asthma UK Northern Ireland, says: ‘This framework could signal a major breakthrough for people with asthma in Northern Ireland. A framework that sets out clear targets and expected outcomes is very positive news, and could help reduce hospital admissions in places such as the Western Health and Social Services Board area, where children are almost 50% more likely to be hospitalised for their asthma than those living in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area.

‘Northern Ireland is leading the UK in its approach to respiratory health so we hope that Wales, Scotland and England will swiftly learn from, and follow this example.’

A number of organisations will be asked to comment on the draft framework before the 22 April deadline. The final document is expected to be published in June 2009.

Joan continues: ‘We have worked with the DHSSPS to help develop this framework so will be looking closely at the detail to ensure the needs of people with asthma are reflected. This includes ensuring that adequate resources are allocated by the DHSSPS in order to carry out their plans, for example creating more asthma nurse specialists posts in the community and primary care settings to help keep people with asthma out of hospital.’ 

1. For further information, contact the Asthma UK media office on 020 7786 4949 or at mediaoffice@asthma.org.uk.
2. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
3. More than 182,000 people in Northern Ireland have asthma: 146,000 adults and 36,000 children.
4. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk.
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 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline