Parents of youngsters with asthma are being urged to obtain a new care plan for their child after high levels of hospital admissions were recorded across the district.

Across the district there are 8,421 youngsters under 19 registered with asthma, and in 2011/12 there were 270 emergency admissions for asthma of people under 18 years old.

Nationally, 1.1 million children are affected by asthma, equating to an average of two children in every classroom.

Now Local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are urging parents of children and young people with asthma in Bradford to obtain an individual care plan, which are proven to make hospital admissions for asthma attacks four times less likely.

The initiative is being led by GP surgeries and hospitals throughout the district.

They are equipped with electronic or paper versions of the plans, which will be reviewed, updated and given out every time a child visits the doctor about their asthma.

The plans provide important information about a child’s inhalers and other medication, and how and when they should be used.

“They also give advice on what to do in response to symptoms of differing levels of severity.

Dr Louise Clarke, clinical specialty lead for children and young people, said: “Parents and young people who have received the management plans so far have found them easy to follow. Research by national asthma charity Asthma UK has found that children and young people with an asthma management plan are four times less likely to be admitted to hospital. Using a plan also improves the quality of life for the child.”

e-mail: dolores.cowburn@telegraphandargus.co.uk

 

'It's making a difference already'

 

Twelve-year-old Rhys Hood, from Buttershaw, has recently started using the plan and already it is making a difference.

His mother, Clare Walker, said: “It is a massive help. It’s plain and simple and it informs you what you need to do. He has had an inhaler for a while but I never had the information before and the information on paper is much better.

“We only got the information a week ago and it has already shown a difference – he’s not having to take as much of the inhaler because he’s taking it properly.”

Rhys said: “I can do more because I don’t get breathless that much. It’s been really good – I can do more walking and running. I can run for two to three minutes without getting breathless.”

For more information on asthma, visit asthma.org.uk.