A new report by Asthma and Lung UK, a leading lung charity has found that more than 12,000 people in the UK have died from asthma attacks since 2014. There were 1,465 asthma deaths in the UK in 2023, up 27% from the 1,151 deaths in 2010.
Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy at Asthma and Lung UK, said: ‘Four people are still dying needlessly from this condition every day. Asthma care is in crisis. People are not getting the care they need and deserve. As a result, the UK continues to have one of the worst asthma death rates in Europe.’
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The National Review of Asthma Deaths, a 2014 report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) provided key recommendations to prevent asthma deaths.
But the charity said a decade after the report, none of the recommendations have been implemented and 5.4 million Brits living with the condition ‘are being failed.’
Dr John Dean, clinical vice president at the RCP, said: ‘A decade ago, the RCP’s report provided a clear blueprint for improvement from leaders in asthma care. Sadly, the NHS is unable to deliver the care they know people with asthma need. This is unacceptable.’
The charity has called upon the Government to provide sufficient funding to ensure NICE guidelines are followed and all asthma sufferers receive basic care.
This includes providing asthmatics with more information to help them manage their condition, such as written action plans and inhaler technique checks; and raising awareness about warning signs.
Dr Andy Whittamore, GP and clinical lead at Asthma and Lung UK, said: ‘Too often I see people with asthma who have reached a point where they are in danger. They don’t recognise when they need to seek help. For example, when they are using their blue reliever inhaler three or more times a week. It shouldn’t get to the point where someone is rushed to hospital fighting for breath. We need a better awareness of the seriousness of asthma, and a focus on supporting people to manage their condition themselves.’
The Department of Health and Social Care said the NHS had established a groundbreaking lung health check programme to detect and treat more lung conditions.
‘We're also looking into chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, as part of our forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy, which will allow us to ensure care is better centred around the patient,’ it said.