Being admitted to hospital with asthma can be a worrying experience and for this year’s #WorldAsthmaDay on Tuesday 5 May 2026, we’re highlighting the work taking place across our Emergency Departments to improve care for children, young people and adults living with asthma.
Asthma affects people of all ages and remains a common reason for emergency presentation. We know that timely, guideline‑driven care can significantly reduce avoidable admissions, improve patient experience, and support long‑term asthma control.
What we’re doing at LTH:
Our ED teams are actively strengthening the delivery of evidence‑based asthma management by:
✅ Embedding national asthma guidelines into ED assessment and treatment pathways for both CYP and adults
✅ Improving early identification of high‑risk asthma presentations
✅ Supporting safe, effective use of inhaled and systemic therapies in line with best practice
✅ Ensuring patients leave ED with clear asthma action plans, inhaler technique checks, and appropriate follow‑up
✅ Strengthening links with primary care, community services, and specialist teams to support ongoing asthma control
This work is helping ensure that every person who attends ED with asthma receives consistent, high‑quality care, regardless of age or severity of presentation.
Why this matters:
Poorly controlled asthma can have a significant impact on quality of life and, in severe cases, be life‑threatening. ED encounters are a vital opportunity to:
- Review current treatment
- Optimise preventer therapy
- Reinforce education and self‑management
- Identify those who need stepped‑up ongoing care
By improving how we deliver guideline‑driven asthma treatment in ED, we’re supporting safer care today and better outcomes in the future. On World Asthma Day, we’d like to thank all ED, paediatric, respiratory, pharmacy, nursing, medical and AHP colleagues who continue to improve asthma care for our patients every day.
