Asthma admissions must be reduced

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Jul 2009

Research done by the Asthma UK Cymru charity has shown that the number of people suffering from asthma admitted to Welsh hospitals as a result of their condition is 10% higher than the UK as a whole.

Admissions of children for Asthma related conditions in Wales is 6% higher than the UK average.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Peter Black commented:

"Asthma in Wales is a major public health issue, and must be treated as such.

"There are around 260,000 asthma sufferers in Wales; with around 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 10 children living with the condition, and about 4000 hospital admissions every year.

"This is one of the highest rates in the world. There are also big variations in hospital admissions across the different health authorities.

"Action must be taken to reduce these figures.

"Hospital admissions at this level suggest that asthma in Wales needs more attention given to it, better information for people with asthma, more work on raising awareness in schools and colleges; and with employers.

"We also need a greater emphasis on understanding the causes of asthma and identifying better treatments.

"The Welsh Government needs to recognise the scale of the problem, and make the effective diagnosis, treatment, and management a political priority."