Hundreds of asthma attack deaths in Scotland must be a "wake up call" to Government, charity warns

More than 500 people in Scotland have died from an asthma attack in the last five years.

That’s according to new analysis by Asthma UK which is calling for the Scottish Government to ensure patients are getting the right support.

The charity’s research found more than half of people in Scotland (60%) are not getting basic asthma care, even though it is recommended by national guidelines.

Anthony Fagg, 53, from Darvel, lost his 12-year-old son Tony to a fatal asthma attack in April 2013.

He said, “Tony had asthma from a very young age but he never let it get in the way of him doing the things that he loved. He was a fun-loving, popular kid who loved skateboarding, swimming and running. We had a great bond and were looking forward to going to Turkey on holiday that summer.

“I will never forget the day that Tony passed away. Only a couple of hours earlier I was wishing him goodnight and saying ‘I love you’ then at midnight I got a call from my eldest son saying Tony had been blue-lighted to hospital. Just four hours later he was pronounced dead as doctors had been unable to revive him. It completely tore me apart.

“Tony wasn’t given basic asthma care such as an inhaler check to ensure his medicine reached his lungs properly or an asthma action plan that told us what medicines he was taking and how to stay well. It’s appalling that in this day and age people are still dying from asthma, devastating families and local communities. Everyone with asthma in Scotland should get life-saving basic asthma care, which can keep people with asthma out of hospital and save lives.”

The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD), commissioned by the NHS and Department of Health, found that two-thirds of asthma deaths could have been prevented by better basic care.

Every asthma patient is entitled to a yearly review with a GP or asthma nurse, a written asthma action plan which explains how people with asthma can stay well and an inhaler technique check.

Kay Boycott, Chief Executive of Asthma UK, said: “It is absolutely appalling that hundreds of people with asthma in Scotland are still needlessly dying from asthma attacks.

“It’s been five years since the National Review of Asthma Deaths found that two-thirds of deaths from asthma attacks could have been prevented with basic care yet we are still seeing tragic cases of lives being cut short. The same mistakes are being made again and again because essential recommendations have been ignored. This is not good enough.

“The Scottish Government needs to act now to ensure that everyone with asthma in Scotland gets basic asthma care which includes a yearly review with their GP or asthma nurse, a check to ensure they are using their inhaler properly and a written asthma action plan. The Government needs to ensure that all healthcare professionals are providing this care to patients."