World Asthma Day: The Importance of Asthma

13:59 03 May 2011

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A new survey of GPs has indicated that asthma education for healthcare professionals is low priority, with over half of GPs agreeing 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 survey revealed that two thirds of GPs feel that their asthma knowledge could be improved and nearly half also believe that it could be improved cost effectively, which could potentially save the NHS £45 million from avoidable hospital admissions.

The charityÂ’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.