Minister for Health Launches New Asthma Initiative with the Asthma Society

A new initiative to facilitate the implementation of best practice asthma guidelines in Irish healthcare with the potential to improve quality of life for Ireland's 470,000 people with Asthma, was launched today by Minister Mary Harney in the Royal College of Physicians. The Asthma Society of Ireland has developed the project to improve asthma management in Ireland and it is being implemented in partnership with the Dept of Health and Children (DOHC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The project is modelled on the Finnish Asthma Programme which demonstrated that it is possible to deliver better healthcare outcomes for asthma with a reduction in healthcare costs.

Minister for Health, Mary Harney, at the new Asthma Initiative Launch with Asthma Society CEO Jean Holohan

Speaking at the launch Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney said "We know that the level of asthma is high in Ireland and this initiative I am launching today should reduce the burden of asthma for patients and their families. This partnership of the Asthma Society, HSE, DOHC and healthcare professionals represents not only a model for asthma care but one that could be used for other long term conditions".

The project will initially involve approximately 25 primary care sites nationwide to focus on bringing evidence-based asthma guidelines into real-life practice. Participating healthcare professionals – GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists – will complete both on-line and practical education modules based on current international best practice. Patients enrolled in the programme will be encouraged to actively participate in managing their asthma through education on using a personal asthma plan, correct use of inhalers and using a peakflow meter to monitor control.

Following the initial demonstration project which will reach up to 5,000 asthma patients, the hope is for it to be rolled out on a national level, in line with the roll out of the Primary Care Strategy. The demonstration project has been developed to mirror the principles of the Dept. of Health Policy Framework for the Management of Chronic Disease.

As part of the project, GP's will receive a spirometer and each patient will receive a peak flow meter to help them monitor their own asthma in between GP visits.

The reality of poor asthma control in Ireland was highlighted in the recent HARP (Helping Asthma in Real Patients) Study which found that across a number of participating GP practices, up to 60% of patients failed to meet international criteria for asthma control2. New data from an Asthma Society of Ireland survey found that 76% of respondents do not have a personal, written asthma management plan, an essential tool in controlling patients' asthma

Jean Holohan, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland commented “I am delighted that the Department of Health and Children and the HSE have partnered with us on the project, this is a very positive step and I hope that the outcomes of this project will help us understand and overcome the difficulties of poor asthma management in Ireland. In collaboration with the ICGP, practice nurses and community pharmacy we hope to deliver a practical solution to the burden of asthma in Ireland. The project will be modelled on the Finnish Asthma Programme which resulted in a 54% reduction in hospital bed days and a 90% reduction in deaths from asthma – we hope, ultimately, to be able to replicate these results in Ireland ”