New Scheme For Asthma Sufferers

Thousands of asthma sufferers across Scotland may benefit from a new three-year project to improve treatment methods.

The scheme includes specialist training for 450 nurses from every health board. Under the plans, under-12s would carry an asthma card when they are away from home to let others know what to do if they have an attack.

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, Asthma UK Scotland and the Scottish Executive are launching the scheme. There are almost 400,000 people in Scotland receiving treatment for asthma, almost half of them with severe symptoms.

Experts said that living with the disease was a daily challenge for sufferers, which affected their ability to lead a normal life.

The project also aims to provide better support for healthcare professionals to carry out more effective consultations and reviews with people with the condition.