New help following asthma attacks
20 July 2005

People recovering from asthma attacks will have extra help from today in the form of two new booklets from Asthma UK.

Currently one in four people who go to hospital because of an asthma attack receive no information about follow-up treatment, and one in six will need to return for emergency care within two weeks.

Yet 75% of hospital admissions for asthma are preventable: follow-up care is vital in enabling people to get their symptoms back under control and help prevent further attacks.

Asthma UK research shows that only 35% of people with asthma feel they know what to do after an attack and 51% feel that they have not received enough care afterwards.

'After your asthma attack' and 'After your child's asthma attack' aim to fill this gap and help people avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Developed by asthma experts and supported by The Hoover Foundation, the booklets include essential information on the sort of care you or your child should expect during an asthma attack, what medicines you should be taking following an attack, getting your symptoms back under control and an Asthma Attack card to keep with you detailing what to do in an attack.

The booklets are being given to all healthcare professionals who treat adults and children at the time of an asthma attack.

Importance of follow-up appointments

'People with asthma need to make a follow-up appointment with their doctor or asthma nurse within 48 hours of an asthma attack and another one within two weeks to make sure they get their symptoms back under control,' says Carol White, asthma nurse specialist on the Asthma UK Adviceline.

'It is important that they then continue to work together with their doctor of asthma nurse, with the help of a personal asthma action plan, to keep their asthma under control and avoid another attack.'

For a free copy of 'After your asthma attack' and 'After your child's asthma attack', ask your doctor or asthma nurse.

If you are a healthcare professional and you would like copies of the booklets please contact Asthma UK's Supporter & Information Team (020 7786 5000; info@asthma.org.uk).