Watch Dr Hilary Jones Highlight The Importance of Asthma

A new survey of GPs indicated that asthma education for healthcare professionals is low priority.

Over half of GPs agree that the number of deaths from asthma could be reduced with better care.

To mark World Asthma Day 2011, Asthma UK is urging commissioners of education and training to prioritise asthma and is asking people with asthma to speak out about the impact of asthma on their lives.

The release of a new survey has revealed that asthma training for healthcare professionals is a low priority despite over half of GPs agreeing that the number of deaths from asthma could be reduced with better care. The survey revealed that two thirds of GPs feel GPs’ asthma knowledge could be improved and nearly half also believe that asthma care could be improved cost effectively, which could potentially save the NHS £45 million from avoidable hospital admissions.

The charity’s Get it Off Your Chest campaign aims to get asthma taken more seriously and ultimately save lives. People are urged to speak out about the impact of asthma on their lives by sharing stories online at asthma.org.uk/getitoffyourchest.

Click here to watch Dr Hilary Jones highlighting the importance of considering asthma as a serious condition