Asthma Society of Ireland Our Year in Review Our vision in the Asthma Society of Ireland is that everyone with asthma lives a full life, symptomfree. Our mission is to reduce asthma deaths and transform the lives of people with asthma. In 2023, our 50th year, we continue to support people with asthma, parents, carers, health care professionals, teachers and special needs assistants. We learn together and collaborate with healthcare, research and educational professionals to improve our understanding of how asthma works and how to combat it. The Asthma Society contributes at every level of health care – GP, integrated care, secondary and tertiary care working closely with the National Clinical Programme Respiratory (NCPR). Although the pandemic is over, COVID19 continues to remain a challenge along with influenza and RSV for people living with chronic respiratory conditions including asthma. The impact of this is reported to us daily on our two patient support services WhatsApp nurse messaging and Adviceline service. Other issues highlighted through these services are, the cost of living crisis, inflation and difficulties accessing a GP. Patients might not attend the GP or buy their asthma medications due to financial constraints. The energy and cost of living crisis also impacts on our patients with chronic respiratory disease who require oxygen or nebulized medication. These issues result in increased morbidity and the need to use health services. Patient Services Our patient services consist of Asthma/COPD Adviceline, and the WhatsApp nurse messaging service part of which is the webinar series. We also support Healthcare professionals with resources in the form of written and electronic resources. In addition the website is very often the first port of call for clients seeking information on their condition.
of their disease management, get signposted to key respiratory health management tools, further understand their disease and to be referred onwards. Service learnings indicate that once-off usage of the WhatsApp messaging service is effective but builds in impact when patients return and use it repeatedly. In the first 3 quarters of 2023 the WhatsApp service conducted over 3000 interventions for 315 clients.
Written by Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, Asthma Society of Ireland
Webinars Webinars are held regularly to support self-management and provide education to patients, carers and healthcare professionals. Expert speakers present on topical subjects alongside an ASI respiratory nurse followed by a Q&A session. Subjects this year included: Living well with asthma and COPD, Seasonal Allergies and Asthma, Asthma Care for All, Asthma and Anxiety, Back2School for parents, carers, teachers and SNAs and Winter Wellness. Between 200 and 300 people registered for each webinar and on average 130 attended. People can avail of recordings to watch back on our website .Post webinar surveys show improvement in knowledge and 100% of registrants say they would recommend our WhatsApp/ Adviceline service to a family member, friend or colleague. Asthma Adviceline: 1800 44 54 64 The aim of the Adviceline is to provide education, selfmanagement skills and healthcare signposting by providing upto-date, expert information and advice. It is a free call back service available to people with asthma and their carers. Clients can book a 30 minute consultation with an asthma nurse and will be followed up with further calls as needed. The asthma Adviceline has been in existence for many years with numbers using it increasing every year.
WhatsApp Nurse messaging Service: 086 059 0132
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Adviceline: 1800 83 21 46
This nurse-led service allows patients with asthma and/or COPD, their family and carers, to confidentially message a respiratory nurse about all aspects
The COPD Adviceline is provided in collaboration with COPD Support Ireland and the HSE. It is a free callback service for people who want to learn more
about COPD. It can help support people to better understand their symptoms and manage their condition. Patients are linked into COPDSI services and support groups. This service is available to all people with COPD, family members and carers of people with COPD as well as healthcare professionals who support people with COPD The Asthma Society celebrates 50 years In this, our 50th year we aim to celebrate achievements and milestones. We hope to raise awareness of the Asthma Society and create a platform for relationship building with stakeholders. Along with this the Asthma Society wants to generate recognition of its value in addition to recognizing those who have contributed to our achievements. Most importantly this is a time to think about the future and the Society’s role and purpose. A celebration takes place at the end of November with invited political representatives, corporate partners, health care professionals, board members, government bodies, and our asthma ambassadors. This event will bring recognition through attending media and social media contacts. An exciting agenda hosted by Matt Cooper includes the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Ronan O Gara Irish former rugby union player. The agenda also includes fundraising and award giving Asthma Awareness Week Asthma Awareness Week took place during the first week of May.
As part of this, the Asthma Society conducted a survey amongst 1,294 men and women aged 18+ living with asthma. This survey revealed the concerning decisions people with asthma and their loved ones have been forced to make during the cost-of-living crisis. Despite 96% of those surveyed being prescribed asthma medications, 45% have had to forego them in the prior three months due to financial constraints. Other findings showed: • 48% of households with asthma have been in arrears on mortgage or rental payments; utility bills; hire purchase instalments or other loan payments in the past 12 months. • 76% also said that their own or their child's daily activity was limited or severely limited by the disease. • 25% of survey participants described their asthma as bad or very bad. • A virtual conference entitled Asthma Care for All was hosted and featured people living with asthma describing their own experiences of being treated for asthma and the difference the Asthma Society has made to their lives. Hayfever Campaign This year the Asthma Society conducted a very successful Hayfever campaign. The launch coincided with Asthma Awareness Week and included a very highly attended webinar on Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis. Every opportunity was taken to promote the pollen
HOSPITALPROFESSIONALNEWS.IE | HPN • DECEMBER - PROFESSIONAL 100 ISSUE - 2023
