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Asthma Society of Ireland: An update

By Ruth Morrow - 01st Apr 2024


Reference: April 2024 | Issue 4 | Vol 10 | Page 26


Our vision in the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) is that everyone with asthma lives a full life that is symptom-free. Our mission is to reduce asthma deaths and transform the lives of people with the condition. During 2023, in addition to our continuing support for people with asthma, their parents, and carers, as well as healthcare professionals, teachers, and special needs assistants, the ASI celebrated its 50th year.

At ASI, we learn together and collaborate with healthcare, research, and educational professionals to improve our understanding of how asthma manifests and how to combat it. The ASI contributes at every level of healthcare, including general practice, integrated care, secondary care, and tertiary care – working closely with the National Clinical Programme Respiratory.

Webinars at ASI

In addition to the asthma adviceline and WhatsApp messaging services, webinars are held regularly to provide education to patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and education providers, and to support self-management of the disorder. People have different experiences of living with asthma, with triggers being individual to that person, and webinars encompass the individualistic nature of the condition.

We aim to address many different aspects of asthma throughout the webinar series.  Places can be booked for the webinars on the ASI website at www.asthma.ie. Webinars are one hour long, with expert speakers presenting on topical subjects alongside an ASI Respiratory Nurse Specialist, followed by a questions and answers session. All webinars are chaired by the ASI CEO Eilís Ní Chaithnía.

Topics addressed during webinars in 2023 and to date in 2024 included:

  • ‘Living well with asthma and COPD’ (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was presented by Joan Johnston, General Manager, COPD Support Ireland; and Dr Stanley Miller, Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme Respiratory. Topics covered included COPD, asthma, and the new integrated care hubs.
  • ‘Seasonal allergies and asthma’ was delivered by Prof David Coughlan, Paediatric Consultant, National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght and Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin; and Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, ASI. The webinar examined ways people can benefit from being aware of their triggers, allergic rhinitis, and pollen allergies.
  • ‘Asthma care for all’ was held in conjunction with Asthma Awareness Week and World Asthma Day, and addressed patients’ and carers’ experiences of managing their asthma. ASI member Eleanor Glennon spoke about how she coped with her child’s asthma diagnosis, while fellow member Sarah Darcy spoke about managing her asthma since childhood. Regina Boyle, who works with the homeless, relayed the difficulties homeless people experience when dealing with their asthma.
  • ‘Asthma and anxiety’ was presented by Dr Kristina Cahill, Senior Clinical Psychologist; and Sam McCabe, Respiratory Nurse Specialist with the Asthma Society, who addressed the impact anxiety can have on asthma and the impact of asthma on anxiety. Several strategies were discussed to assist patients and healthcare providers in managing both conditions.
  • ‘Back2School’ for parents and carers addressed the challenges for children with asthma returning to school. Speakers at the webinar were Parenting Coach Aoife Lee; Prof Basil Elnazir, Respiratory Consultant, Children’s Health Ireland; and Sam McCabe, Respiratory Nurse Specialist with the ASI.
  • ‘Back2School’ for teachers and SNAs is part of the Asthma Safe Schools Programme, whereby a nominated teacher undertakes the ‘Pre-hospital emergency care’ course. The school is then provided with a salbutamol pressurised metered dose inhaler and spacer for use in the event of an acute asthma attack. The webinar was presented by Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist at the ASI; and Caroline Reilly, Patient Services Coordinator at the ASI, who provided information about asthma and how to manage an acute asthma attack in school.
  • ‘Winter wellness’ was delivered by Prof Patrick Mitchell, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor of Medicine and Respiratory Consultant Physician at Trinity College Dublin and Tallaght University; and Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, ASI, who spoke about the challenges winter brings for people with asthma. Winter triggers, such as cold air, air pollution, and viruses, were discussed. Strategies were also given to assist people in managing their asthma throughout the winter months.
  • ‘Smoking and vaping’ addressed the impact of smoking and vaping on asthma throughout the major stages of life. This webinar was delivered by Prof Luke Clancy, Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland; Martina Blake, HSE Tobacco Free Programme; and Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, ASI.
  • ‘Women and asthma’ coincided with International Women’s Day 2024. Dr Dorothy Ryan, Respiratory Consultant, Beaumont Hospital; and Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, ASI, addressed the impact of hormones on asthma and how hormones can trigger asthma symptoms throughout the life cycle. From puberty, pre-menstrually, during pregnancy, and menopause, women who have asthma can experience worsening of their condition. Women can also develop asthma at any of these stages in their life. Strategies were discussed to assist women on how to best manage asthma.

In 2023, almost 2,000 people registered for the webinars, with 1,000 attending. To date in 2024, 710 have registered, with 320 in attendance. All webinars are recorded with a watch-back facility available on the website. The most popular webinar was on ‘Seasonal allergies and asthma’, where there were over 500 registrations and almost 300 in attendance.

During the questions and answers sessions, participants are encouraged to pose questions using the chat function, which are then answered live by the presenters and Respiratory Nurse Specialists who monitor the chat function. Participants are also encouraged to use the WhatsApp messaging service and the ASI advice line for further advice, support, and guidance in managing their asthma.

Post webinar surveys are carried out after each event, which have demonstrated an improvement in knowledge. A notable 100 per cent of participants say they would recommend our WhatsApp/adviceline service to a family member, friend, or colleague.

Hay Fever Campaign 2024

The Hay Fever Campaign 2024 was launched at the end of March and will run for the duration of the hay fever season until the end of August. The campaign will involve print, media interviews, and social media posts to raise awareness of the link between asthma and hay fever, along with tips and advice on managing both conditions. It will also feature a webinar on the 24 April.

Recent research findings

As hay fever season began this March, the ASI surveyed 1,274 people in Ireland about their asthma and/or hay fever. Of those surveyed with hay fever (727), 76 per cent said that it limits their, or their child’s, daily activities and has a disruptive effect on their lives. Additionally, 42 per cent of people surveyed reported missing at least one day of work or education due to hay fever in the past year, with one-in-five missing more than three days.

Almost half of those surveyed believe hay fever is not taken seriously by their friends or family. Furthermore, 44 per cent of respondents do not think healthcare providers take hay fever seriously, and 75 per cent feel the same about policy-makers and politicians.

Prof Patrick Mitchell, Respiratory Consultant, Tallaght University Hospital, and member of the ASI’s Medical Advisory Group, commented on the findings. He said: “While most of us are enjoying the first signs of spring, others are facing into months of the headaches, runny noses, and sore throats associated with hay fever season. The results of our recent survey underscore the disruptive and often unrecognised effects of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, on people’s quality-of-life, with three-quarters of the respondents reporting that their daily activities are limited by their symptoms.

“Treatment for more persistent allergic rhinitis is also available, with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) proving particularly effective. Frustratingly for healthcare professionals and patients, though, Ireland has yet to approve SLIT for reimbursement, which presents a cost barrier to effective care. Missing school and work due to allergic rhinitis can reduce people’s immediate and future earning potential. These lost days also have implications for the wider economy. There is an onus on Irish policy-makers to catch up with the rest of Europe and make effective treatment more accessible.”

New e-referral platform for healthcare professionals

The ASI has launched a new, free e-referral platform for healthcare professionals. The platform allows healthcare professionals all over Ireland to refer patients or carers with questions/concerns about asthma or COPD to the charity’s adviceline service. Healthcare professionals can, with the permission of the patient, complete a simple form on the asthma society website to refer patients or their carers to the service.

The form gathers some basic contact information which will allow a member of the Asthma Society’s Patient Services team to get in touch with the patient directly and arrange an appointment with a nurse specialist or physiotherapist.

Asthma Awareness Week 2024

Asthma Awareness Week 2024 runs from 6-10 May 2024. The theme for this year is ‘Wake Up To Asthma’. This coincides with World Asthma Day 2024 where the theme is “Asthma Education Empowers”.

The author acknowledges the assistance of Caroline Reilly, Patient Services Co-ordinator, for her help with this article.

Author Bios

Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist, Asthma Society of Ireland


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