The work is being highlighted to coincide with the #AskAboutAsthma2025 campaign, which takes place from 8-11 September and promotes simple and effective measures to help children and those involved in their care to control their asthma. The campaign is ahead of the “September Spike” in attacks which is when their frequency increases after the summer holiday.
In Lincolnshire’s Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), partnership working between United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and primary care services is helping the early diagnosis and management of asthma for children and young people.
Skegness CDC has been the first to offer clinics which allow patients aged between five and 17 to be reviewed should their GP surgery suspect they have asthma. This successful pathway is now being rolled out at Lincoln CDC, and is due to start in Grantham in October.
Teenager Oliver Read (14), from Louth, has had symptoms of asthma since he was a toddler. After a visit to Skegness CDC, a chat with respiratory specialist nurse Emma Stones about his medical history and a couple of tests, he was able to be diagnosed with asthma and issued with a new inhaler to help manage his condition.
His mum Joanne said: “Being able to come here and get the tests and expert advice all under one roof has been wonderful. It has been much easier to come here than a busy hospital and the free car parking is a bonus.
“We will definitely look forward to coming back again.”
Oliver added: “The appointment has been really good as I have not felt rushed and felt I could ask any questions.”
Harriet Brader is five years old and from Wrangle, near Boston. Having experienced symptoms since she was a baby, Harriet has been prescribed an inhaler and invited back for further tests at Skegness CDC to establish if her symptoms are caused by asthma.
Harriet’s mum Sally said: “It has been amazing to come here today and get everything checked by Emma who has been really thorough and has really listened to all of my concerns and observations. She has given us lots of advice and information. This is something we have wanted for years and to be able to have it all under one roof has been fantastic.
“The best news is that Harriet has had fun and is looking forward to coming back for some further tests.”
Harriet said: “I am going to practice for the next tests as I really want another certificate to show my family and friends.”
Claire Lloyd, Lincolnshire CDC Programme Lead, says the partnership working in Lincolnshire’s NHS continues to help bring additional services to local communities, making it easier to access care: “Families using the CDC’s children and young people’s asthma pathway are supported by a specialist nurse, who can work with them to agree their care plan and give further advice in other areas, such as how to improve their inhaler technique.
“Appointments being available in the community also helps to reduce the number of young people having to attend hospital as an emergency and frees up planned appointments in hospital for those with more complex care needs.”
Children with asthma are more likely to take time out of school than their peers without asthma, particularly if they suffer from persistent or severe asthma symptoms.
The seven schools which have achieved accreditation are: Grimoldby Primary School, Manor Farm Academy, Park Academy, St Peters at Gowts Primary School, Staniland Academy, Tower Road Academy and Wrangle Primary .
More information about Childhood asthma and the Asthma Friendly Schools accreditation can be found on the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board website.