Difficult to control asthma

This section is intended for clinicians caring for children with asthma in a hospital or tertiary care setting. It outlines examples of best practice in the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of children and young people with asthma in an acute setting.


There are a number of children who have persistent symptoms or frequent exacerbations (or both) despite optimal management in secondary care.

Children with problematic severe asthma should be referred to a specialist difficult asthma team in tertiary care. The criteria for which children MUST be referred to a tertiary service are set out in the following guide:

  Difficult asthma clinic requirements