Media Release
Statement on Audit Scotland report into the care of people with long-term conditions
Statement on Audit Scotland report into the care of people with long-term conditions
16 August 2007
Gordon Brown, Public Affairs & Communications Manager at Asthma UK Scotland, says:
‘Asthma UK Scotland welcomes the recommendations by Audit Scotland regarding the development of community-based services. In particular we support the call for a national strategy, which would ensure that people with long term conditions, such as asthma, can access the same level of care wherever they live in the country.
‘We also echo the need to ensure patients are given access to comprehensive information about their condition. Of the people who have used emergency services because of their asthma, 72% think that information about how to control asthma symptoms would be very useful and over half would like more information about why their asthma attack happened. Around 62% of people with asthma in Scotland also say they have not been offered the name of a GP specialising in asthma in their area.
‘If the recommendations within the Audit Scotland report are to be achieved locally then more resources and training must be made available to ensure good quality care.’
‘Asthma UK Scotland welcomes the recommendations by Audit Scotland regarding the development of community-based services. In particular we support the call for a national strategy, which would ensure that people with long term conditions, such as asthma, can access the same level of care wherever they live in the country.
‘We also echo the need to ensure patients are given access to comprehensive information about their condition. Of the people who have used emergency services because of their asthma, 72% think that information about how to control asthma symptoms would be very useful and over half would like more information about why their asthma attack happened. Around 62% of people with asthma in Scotland also say they have not been offered the name of a GP specialising in asthma in their area.
‘If the recommendations within the Audit Scotland report are to be achieved locally then more resources and training must be made available to ensure good quality care.’
Notes to editors
1. For further information, contact the Asthma UK Scotland Office on 0131 226 2544 or email gbrown@asthma.org.uk
2. A copy of the Audit Scotland report can be downloaded at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/index.htm
3. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people in Scotland whose lives are affected by asthma.
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.
2. A copy of the Audit Scotland report can be downloaded at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/index.htm
3. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people in Scotland whose lives are affected by asthma.
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.
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