Manchester has highest number of hospital admissions for asthma in the country
Charities are now calling for the Government an local councils to fund basic asthma care
Last updated 20th Nov 2018
People in Manchester are the most likely to be hospitalised for their asthma compared to anywhere else in the country, according to new research by Asthma UK. Those in the North-West are also more likely to have asthma than people in the rest of England.
Social inequalities mean that people in the poorest areas in England are more likely to be exposed to worse air pollution and higher smoking rates, have challenges accessing care, a lower awareness of asthma management, and have poor housing conditions.
Earlier this year, Asthma UK also revealed that worryingly 65% of people in the North-West - an estimated 325,000 people - are not receiving basic asthma care. This includes having a yearly review with their GP or asthma nurse, being given a written asthma action plan and having their inhaler technique checked.
Asthma UK, a charity which offers health advice to people with asthma through its website and nurse-staffed helpline, is calling on NHS England, the Government and local councils to tackle inequalities for people with asthma by ensuring there is sufficient funding for people with asthma to get the care they need. It is also calling for air pollution and poor housing to be tackled.
The report says investment in data-driven technologies could transform asthma care. For example, smart inhalers could transform the lives of people with asthma. They are devices that are attached to someone’s inhaler and monitors if someone is using it too little or too often and may need support from their GP. The data from these devices could also be shared by primary and secondary care providers to ensure patients get joined up care. Also, the data could be used to enable NHS Trusts and commissioners to spot general trends of when people in their area might be at risk of having an asthma attack or being hospitalised.
Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Policy at Asthma UK, said:
“It is truly shocking that people in some areas are not only struggling to make ends meet but if they have asthma they are more likely to end up in hospital or die from an asthma attack.
“NHS commissioners in Manchester need to tackle health inequalities by ensuring there are enough resources so doctors and nurses can provide basic asthma care. City Mayors and local councils also need to take steps to reduce air pollution, ensure good quality housing and fund stop smoking services.
“This should also be a priority for central government and NHS England. Asthma UK is calling for NHS England to ensure that their upcoming NHS Long Term Plan commits to investment in data driven technologies to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and improve access to treatment.”
The best way for people with asthma to stay well is to take their medicines regularly as prescribed, especially their preventer inhaler (commonly brown in colour) and make sure they have a written action plan. For more information about how health inequalities can affect asthma, visit www.asthma.org.uk/inequality