OUR specialist children’s asthma nurses are raising awareness of the issues that affect asthma in children and young people, as part of this week’s national #AskAboutAsthma campaign (Monday 9 to Sunday 15 September).

The theme of this year’s #AskAboutAsthma campaign is “Helping children and young people with asthma to live their best lives”.

Elisa Hall, Children’s Asthma and Allergy Lead Nurse for the South East Essex Integrated Children’s Community Nursing Service, said: “This is really important as asthma should not limit children and young people’s asthma care in any way and good asthma control means having no symptoms.”

“We want to make sure that all children and young people who have asthma – as well as their friends, families, and everyone involved in their care – knows about how these impact on their condition and what to do. It’s also important that they know about four simple and effective measures to help manage their asthma.”

Children and young people with asthma should be supported to manage their condition in all areas of their lives – at home, school/college, and in the community. Following the four asks can help children and young people to live their best lives.

These are:

Get an asthma action plan in place – A written asthma action plan drawn up between a clinician and patient means people are four times less likely to need to go to hospital for their asthma.
Understand how to use inhalers correctly – Less than three-quarters of children and young people have any form of instruction in how to use their inhaler. Poor inhaler technique means patients don’t get the full benefit of their asthma medication.
Schedule an asthma review – every year and after every attack – An asthma review by an appropriately trained clinician after every attack helps to work out what went wrong. An annual review ensures effective management of the condition.
Consider air pollution and its impact on lung health – We want to ensure that every asthma conversation considers the impact of outdoor and indoor air pollution on children and young people’s asthma.
Melanie Moylan Business Support Coordinator for our Children’s Asthma service, added: “Our South East Essex Children’s Specialist Asthma nurses have been highlighting the #AskAboutAsthma campaign during their ‘asthma friendly schools training’.

“We are continuing our whole-school presentations to school staff in a mission to increase awareness of childhood asthma one school at a time.”

For more information about our asthma services for children, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/children-s-asthma-allergy-service/

Asthma and Lung UK also has advice and support, including a free asthma action plan. Find out more at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/child