Parents and carers of children with asthma in the Black Country are being encouraged to inform themselves about managing their child’s condition.
The #AskAboutAsthma campaign aims to raise awareness of the lung condition, which affects around one in every 11 children and causes symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
The theme for this year’s campaign, which runs from 9-15 September, is focusing on helping children and young people with asthma to live their best lives. During the week, healthcare professionals and families of those living with asthma are being encouraged to think about four key things when having conversations about a child’s condition. This includes:
1. Getting an asthma action plan in place
Children and young people who have a proper written plan drawn up by a clinician are four times less likely to have to go to hospital for their asthma.
2. Understanding how to use inhalers correctly
A preventer inhaler is one of the most important tools for managing asthma, delivering medicine exactly where it is needed to reduce inflammation caused by asthma. However, poor inhaler technique means patients don’t get the full benefits of their asthma medication.
3. Scheduling an asthma review – every year and after every attack
An asthma review by a properly trained clinician after every attack helps to work out what went wrong, while an annual review helps to ensure the condition continues to be managed effectively.
4. Considering air pollution and its impact on lung health
Every asthma conversation should consider indoor and outdoor air pollution and how exposure to these triggers could potentially be reduced.
Lisa Cummings, Queens Nurse and Asthma Practitioner in the Children and Young People’s Asthma Team for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “During autumn there is typically a surge in asthma attacks, as children return to school after the long summer break and may be exposed for the first time in a while to triggers such as seasonal allergies, cleaning products and other fumes.
“The good news is that asthma is very treatable, but it’s important that parents and carers keep on top of their child’s medication and ensure they’re taking their preventer inhaler as instructed by their GP or asthma nurse.
“The #AskAboutAsthma campaign is a great way to get people talking about asthma, and by sharing learning, resources and key information, we can help even more children and young people to get the right care in place.”
During #AskAboutAsthma week, the campaign organisers - NHS England’s London Babies, Children and Young People’s Transformation team -are hosting a range of resources including webinars, podcasts, and blogs, which are available for anyone to access.
For more information about managing your child’s asthma, visit the Black Country 0-18 website.
