Minister promises action on asthma
01 May 2007

Michael McGimpsey, Member of the Legislative Authority (MLA), Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland, has promised to 'look into asthma very seriously’ and ‘effect whatever improvements I can.'

Mr McGimpsey was among the speakers at a Stormont reception, held by Asthma UK Northern Ireland on Tuesday 1 May to mark World Asthma Day. The charity published 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.

Also unveiled was the Emergency Asthma Care Pack, a new resource designed to support healthcare professionals who work in settings where they are likely to encounter people having an asthma attack.

In a momentous week for people with asthma in Northern Ireland, the reception also celebrated the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, which came into effect on Monday 30 April.

Other speakers at the event were Iris Robinson MP MLA, Chair of Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Democratic Unionist Party), Michelle O'Neill MLA, Vice Chair of Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Sinn Fein), Dr Alistair McDonnell MP MLA, (Social Democratic and Labour Party), Dr Vincent McGovern, a GP who has asthma, Rosie Newbigging, Asthma UK’s director of Nations, Regions and Services and John Gourley, a member of Asthma UK Northern Ireland Advisory Group.

Dr McDonnell, a GP, described the report and the Emergency Care Pack as 'extremely useful milestones' in taking the agenda forward in Northern Ireland.

Among the guests were David Sissling, Chief Executive of the Health and Social Services Authority, and a selection of students from Knockbreda High School and Wellington College. The students will be participating STAMP (School Teenage Asthma Management Project) – a two-year peer led asthma project, designed and delivered by young people. The initiative is being funded by Asthma UK’s Challenge Fund.

Claire Armstrong, Director of Asthma UK Northern Ireland, said: 'Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world and, as this report makes clear, a huge amount of work is still required to tackle this serous, widespread but controllable condition. Asthma UK Northern Ireland will continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of people with asthma, and resources such as the Emergency Asthma Care Pack will be invaluable in helping us to achieve this.'