Asthma Guidelines Update

Asthma Guidelines Update

Lynn Elsey, Consultant Respiratory Pharmacist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, reviewed the latest asthma guideline updates and demonstrated how their implementation has the potential to transform asthma care across the UK.

In her presentation, Lynn explained the evidence behind the move away from reliance on short-acting bronchodilators towards anti-inflammatory reliever and maintenance and reliever (MART) therapies, explored the practical challenges of implementing the new guidance, including patient behaviour, workforce pressures and access to diagnostics, while highlighting successful local initiatives that have already improved outcomes, and emphasised that education, effective communication and patient-centred care are essential to achieving lasting behavioural change.

Her presentation concluded by acknowledging that though asthma outcomes in the UK are amongst the worst in Europe, NICE guidelines have given us the opportunity to significantly improve asthma care. She also noted that behaviour change is required in patients and healthcare professionals, and that education and providing the tools to implement the guidelines is essential.

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