Local action
Successful action by Asthma UK has already brought about significant improvements in the quality of life for thousands of people with asthma.
For example,Wakefield carried out an inquiry into the use of school asthma policy (following an approach from Asthma UK). As a result, more than 6,500 children with asthma will now receive the support they need to take a full and active part in school.
The London Borough of Newham co-opted a local person with asthma and a local parent of a child with asthma onto their scrutiny committee for their Addressing Asthma in Newham Review, which will lead to improvements in local asthma care.
Local action: frequently asked questions
Why is local action needed?
Information and services for people with asthma vary widely across the UK. Worryingly, this 'postcode lottery' means that:
- some areas have more trained asthma nurses than others
- some schools have asthma policies in place – some don't
- some health services place a high priority on making written information available, others don't.
However, the reassuring news for people with asthma is that local councils have been given authority to investigate health matters, which means that these inequalities can be addressed.
What can local councils do about health matters?
Local councils now have the power to set up Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) that look into local health issues. This means that local health services must consult with OSCs when making decisions that affect the way services are provided.
As well as being consulted in this way, OSCs also have the authority to investigate other matters that affect the health and well-being of local people. OSCs decide which issues to investigate by listening to the concerns of local people. This means that, by highlighting asthma-related issues, you have the opportunity to get asthma onto the agenda, and ultimately improve the lives of people with asthma in your local area.
So, what's the connection between Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs), me and Asthma UK?
Asthma UK has a successful track record in working with OSCs to bring about real change for people with asthma. However, OSCs have an almost limitless choice of health issues to investigate, and so select topics that are considered to be of local interest. You can ensure that asthma is a matter of local concern: we can help to provide you with the information to prove it.
Isn't this a long-winded way to get asthma services improved? What about central campaigns?
Asthma UK continues to lobby central government in the UK on behalf of people with asthma. However, OSCs are part of central government's plans for local services to represent local need. OSCs are ideally placed to deal with variances in local services.
Contact the Community Development Team on 020 7786 4922 or e-mail volunteer to find out how you can bring about improvements in your local area for people with asthma.
What you can do
Speak to local groups
Have your say about local asthma services
