Asthma charity says action needed on needless deaths

A leading charity has said that urgent government action is needed to stop preventable asthma deaths.

According to Asthma and Lung UK, more than 12,000 people in the UK have died from asthma attacks since 2014.  It said the figures meant that “shockingly little” had changed since a major report a decade ago, which found two thirds of asthma deaths could have been avoided with better care.

Currently around 5.4 million people in the UK suffer from asthma, a common lung condition which can cause difficulties with breathing.

People with asthma should receive an annual condition review, inhaler technique checks and a written action plan. However, the charity said people were being “failed”, with seven out of ten not receiving basic care, partly due to healthcare workers being over-stretched.

According to the charity’s research, 31 per cent of asthmatics were “disengaged” with managing their condition, putting them at a higher risk.  It also said many asthmatics should be given more information to help them to manage their condition and recognise warning signs.

The charity went on to say that using a reliever inhaler, for example, three or four more times a week could be a sign of untreated inflammation in the airways.

Sarah MacFadyen, Asthma and Lung UK’s head of policy, said “Asthma care is in crisis.  People are not getting the care they need and deserve.  We don’t want to be saying the same thing in another 10 years.  This is a problem we know how to fix.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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