15
Feb 2019
Patients missing out on crucial follow-up appointments following asthma attacks
Asthma UK have warned that thousands of asthmatic patients in the UK have not received potentially life-saving follow-up GP appointments after an attack, and the charity added that nearly two out of three patients surveyed did not see their GP in the 48 hours following emergency care.
Around 20 per cent of asthma patients who have emergency treatment go on to have a further asthma attack in the following two weeks.
The Annual Asthma Survey of over 10,000 people, found that 25 per cent had emergency care after their potentially life-threatening attack. However, 64 per cent of those patients were not followed up by their GP, despite the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent and the National Review of Asthma Deaths recommending that they be within 48 hours.
The charity has blamed IT systems within the NHS and staff shortages amongst GPs for the failures, and that patients needed to be more proactive.
They added that GPs are not being notified that their patients had received emergency care due to issues with data sharing across the NHS and said that IT systems and healthcare records across the NHS need to be joined up, so that GPs receive an alert if a patient has received emergency treatment for their asthma.
Asthma UK’s clinical lead Dr Andy Whittamore, said “It’s gravely concerning that so many people with asthma could be missing out on life-saving follow-up care.
“Once you have had an asthma attack, you are much more vulnerable to having another one. This is because there is more inflammation in your lungs so you are more sensitive to any asthma trigger such as cold weather or pollution.
“It is vital people see their doctor so they can get the help they need to avoid another asthma attack.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
- Like this ? Share with friends