Asthma UK Scotland

The Holyrood Debating Chamber. There are 390,000 people in Scotland currently receiving treatment for asthma. Of these, 100,000 (1 in 9 of the total population) are children and 290,000 (1 in 15 of the total population) are adults. 197,000 people in Scotland have severe asthma symptoms. Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people with asthma in Scotland.

About Asthma UK Scotland

Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people with asthma in Scotland by:

  • Supporting people with asthma in building relationships with their doctor or nurse
  • Working across the health sector to improve services for people with asthma
  • Working with the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government to get a better deal for people with asthma
  • Raising the profile of asthma in the media to health providers and keeping people with asthma informed about the latest developments in asthma care
  • Providing information sessions and support for carers of pre-school children with asthma


Influencing policy

(C)2005 SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY CORPORATE BODY

By working with politicians, decision makers and partners we can highlight the extent of asthma in Scotland today and influence them to act wherever they can to minimise the burden on people with asthma and their families.



Research

Two researchers in a laboratory.

Asthma UK has a central programme of research across the UK, investing around £3 million in around 20 projects each year. Asthma UK also funds two professorial chairs and four fellowships.

Currently two of the fellowships are based in Scotland, as well as three of the research projects.

Fellowships
Dr Mike Thomas, University of Aberdeen
The focus of Dr Mike Thomas's work at Aberdeen is primary care asthma management: diagnosis, assessments and effective therapy. He is also the lead researcher in a joint project with Leicester University looking at asthma and dysfunctional breathing.

Dr Malcolm Shepherd, University of Glasgow
This study is examining how airway smooth muscle cells respond to different chemical messages in the body and can lead to changes and to the development of asthma.

Current research projects
Professor Jon Ayres, University of Aberdeen
This project is evaluating whether occupation can influence the development of asthma and respiratory symptoms in partners and children.

Professor Judith Allen, University of Edinburgh
This project is investigating whether chitin, a large sugar molecule found abundantly in nature, plays a role in the development of asthma.

Professor Neil Thomson, Western Infirmary
This project is evaluating the effect of statins on asthma control of patients with chronic asthma.

Dr Jennifer Cleland, University of Aberdeen
Dr Cleland and her team are investigating the effects of patient-centred asthma education for GPs and practice nurses.

Professor Aziz Sheikh, University of Edinburgh
A project looking at strategies to promote recruitment of South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis) into UK asthma studies.



Publications

Asthma in Scotland today. March 2005
'Out of Sight, Out of Mind – Asthma in Scotland Today’,
March 2005


This unique report provides an authoritative and authentic overview of asthma in Scotland today. 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind', investigates the impact of asthma on people living in Scotland. It highlights the severity of the problem and reveals how people are affected by asthma and what barriers exist to prevent them from controlling their asthma.

This report reflects the experiences and opinions of people with asthma in Scotland gained from Asthma UK’s National Asthma Panel. It features analysis of the responses of the panellists from Scotland.


The Asthma Charter for Scotland

What should people with asthma expect from their doctor or nurse? The Asthma Charter for Scotland lays out your rights as a person with asthma. Find out how to get the best possible care from your asthma doctor or nurse by downloading a copy of the Asthma Charter for Scotland.

Out There & Active: schools poster

This classroom poster for Scottish schools has information about asthma and exercise, and features Scottish judo star Euan Burton, who has asthma.  


Media work

Asthma UK Scotland's media office helps keep asthma issues high on the news agenda, while at the same time keeping people with asthma and health workers informed about the latest developments in asthma care. Asthma UK Scotland has now become the single, most authoritative voice on all aspects of asthma in Scotland. 


Get involved

Hands typing on laptop

Asthma UK Scotland needs volunteers from all parts of Scotland who can help with our work. If you can spare some time there are different ways of getting involved.

Can you share your story with the media or local groups? We need people who would be willing to talk about their asthma experience to journalists and speak about asthma in public. Could you spare a few minutes to lobby your MP or MSP online? Follow the links below to find out about how you can get involved with our work.


Training pre-school carers: Alert! to Asthma

Alert! to Asthma logo.

Asthma UK Scotland has established a programme of information sessions throughout Scotland for people who work with pre-school children.

The information sessions, called 'Alert! to Asthma', aim to equip early years carers with the knowledge of what to do in case a child in their care has an asthma attack.

Hundreds of pre-school carers have been trained in Scotland over the last few years, and the programme has proved so successul and popular that it is being rolled out over Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information about the 'Alert! to Asthma' programme email Asthma UK Scotland or call 0131 226 2544.



Contact us

If you would like to know more about the work of Asthma UK Scotland contact us on scotland@asthma.org.uk or 0131 226 2544, or write to 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE