#AskAboutAsthma 2024
This year’s campaign week takes place from 9-15 September 2024
NHS England – London’s #AskAboutAsthma campaign returns in September for its eighth year to raise awareness around childhood asthma and how to manage it.
#AskAboutAsthma highlights the simple changes to children and young people’s care that will make a big difference to how they experience their asthma. Led by NHS England – London’s Babies, Children and Young People programme, the aim is for every person involved in the care of a child or young person with asthma – from GPs and nurses to parents/carers, teachers and youth group leaders – to know about the four asks that can help every person to manage their condition and live full, active lives.
Details about this year’s campaign will be added to this page over the coming months. You can also catch up on our previous campaigns here
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#AskAboutAsthma campaign aims
As part of the #AskAboutAsthma campaign, we want everyone involved in the care of children and young people with asthma to be even more prepared for week 38 – the week where nationally there is a rise in asthma attacks following the return to school after the summer holidays. By sharing learning, resources and key information, we can help even more children and young people to ask about asthma and get the right care in place.
Campaign theme
This year’s theme is focusing on helping children and young people with asthma to live their best lives. Asthma should not limit children and young people’s lives in any way and good asthma control means having no symptoms.
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 4 asks can help children and young people to live their best lives.
1. 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 have to go to hospital for their asthma.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Consider air quality 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.
Get involved
We want everyone to get involved in this campaign. Download the 2024 campaign communications toolkit for social media graphics and messaging, posters and suggested copy for newsletters and emails. This toolkit can be used by supporters to share the campaign locally.
Factsheets
Contact us:
To learn more about getting involved, contact: england.cyptransformationldn@nhs.net.
Join the mailing list to hear the latest news and updates on #AskAboutAsthma and other London region CYP asthma updates.
Register for #AAA 2024 events
Throughout the week there will be webinars, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, social media activity and a one-day virtual conference. Details of the one-day conference can be found below.
One-day virtual conference
This year’s one-day virtual conference will be held on Thursday 12 September 2024.
There will be sessions on:
· Practical steps to help children and young people live their best lives with asthma
· Vaping cessation in children and young people
· Severe asthma referral – who isn’t being referred?
· Clinical and national updates
You can now register for the one-day virtual conference and book yourself a space.
Daily webinars
As part of #AskAboutAsthma2024 we are hosting daily webinars from 9 – 13 September focused on children and young people’s asthma care. These events are designed for stakeholders across the spectrum of CYP asthma systems.
Asthma & air pollution webinar (Monday 9 September: 1.00 – 2.00): This webinar is aimed at anyone interested in air pollution and how it affects children and young people with asthma. We will hear from Connie Marsh and Viv Marsh on “Housing and helping children live their best lives”, Rachel Tilford on an air quality and schools project in Merton and Tom Parkes on a borough based approach to improving air quality with Abi Whitehouse chairing. Register now for the Asthma & air pollution webinar.
Primary care webinar (Tuesday 10 September 1.00–2.00pm): This webinar will update you on developments in children and young people’s asthma care. We will hear from Chris Griffiths (tbc) who will provide a refresh on children and young people’s asthma in primary care: ‘How will the new guidance impact primary care?’ and Richard Chavasse on how MART and AIR can improve asthma care for CYP with some practical tips for primary care, with Rosi Marsh chairing. Register now for the Primary care webinar.
Pharmacy webinar (Tuesday 10 September 7.30–8.30pm): This webinar will highlight best practice and innovation within CYP asthma. Chaired by Sukeshi Makhecha from the Evelina, we will hear from Meropi Mastropetrou how pharmacy is working with GP practices to improve CYP asthma care in Feltham & Bedfont Primary Care Network, from Darush Attar-Zadeh in North West London Integrated Care Board on how the new pharmacy data dashboard can improve CYP asthma care and from Shilpa Shah on the value of community pharmacists in managing asthma holistically in Newham. Register now for the Pharmacy webinar.
Nursing webinar (Wednesday 11 September 1.00–2.00pm): This webinar focuses on how nurses can support improvements in asthma care for CYP. We will hear from speakers around dysfunctional breathing, from Laura King from North East London on the safe use of salbutamol and from Carol Stonham in Gloucestershire on new diagnostic pathways for CYP asthma with Alison Summerfield chairing. Register now for the Nursing webinar.
Learn Live educational event for schools and parents and carers (Friday 13 September 10–10.30am): “How we can all support young people with asthma to live their best lives”. Join us to hear what asthma is all about, why you need to know about it, how you can help your friends or yourself if you have asthma, and learn about risk factors like air pollution and vaping. Asthma shouldn’t get in the way of anyone living their best life. Register now for the Learn Live education event.
2024 Schedule
Below is a schedule of activity for the week. Links to all of these will be added day by day during the week
