Differences In Emergency Hospital Admissions In Scotland Show There Is No National Health Service For Asthma

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 08 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Asthma UK Scotland has released a new report which reveals the unacceptable variations in emergency hospital admissions for asthma between different parts of the country - and says this illustrates why there must be a National Respiratory Strategy as a matter of urgency.

The report, released to mark World Asthma Day on 6 May, forms part of a campaign by Asthma UK called 'Wish you were here?' which highlights the lottery that people with asthma face when accessing local health services. During 2006-07, there were 7,105 emergency hospital admissions for people experiencing an asthma attack in Scotland, but, for example, those living in Lanarkshire were 57% more likely to be hospitalised than those who lived in Dumfries and Galloway.

There is an even wider range between areas in admissions figures for children than those for adults. Under-15s living in Tayside were 154% - or over two and a half times - more likely to be hospitalised for asthma than those living in the Borders.

Shona Haslam, National Director for Asthma UK Scotland, said: 'Reducing emergency hospital admissions for people with asthma is a key aim for Asthma UK Scotland because we know that annually they cost health services in the UK £61 million, yet 75% of them are avoidable through effective asthma management and routine care.

'Asthma is one of the commonest causes of preventable emergency hospital admissions, yet it remains a low priority for many health decision-makers. The Scottish Government has no plans to produce a National Respiratory Strategy to secure consistent, high quality care for people of all ages with asthma.

'A national strategy would bring together examples of best practice from across Scotland and end the lottery of care that currently exists. It would standardise treatment across Scotland, ensuring that primary and secondary care were much more closely linked.'

Health services across the UK are being urged to help reduce emergency admissions by signing up to Asthma UK's new Good Asthma Services Checklist, which outlines the standard of asthma services that people with the condition should be entitled to. One of the ways they can do this is by offering every person with asthma a personal asthma action plan, as evidence suggests those with a plan are four times less likely to have an emergency admission to hospital for their asthma.

Haslam continues: 'If asthma is not controlled effectively, the effects can be devastating and in some cases fatal. Our campaign must act as a wake-up call to health services and government about the costs and consequences of unnecessary hospital admissions.'

1. For more information, including a copy of the 'Wish you were here?' report contact Asthma UK Scotland's Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Gordon Brown on 0131 226 2544 or email him at gbrown@asthma.org.uk

2. 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.

3. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website http://www.asthma.org.uk.

4. 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 http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

http://www.asthma.org.uk