Euro-MP calls on government to act to help Asthma sufferers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th May 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has reacted with concern to the news that over two and a half million Asthma sufferers do not have adequate control of their condition.

The Survey conducted by Charity Asthma UK also states that 500,000 sufferers are afraid their next attack could kill them.

The Liberal Democrat MEP who suffers from severe Asthma attacks said:

"Asthma attacks can be very frightening not only for those who have the condition but also for friends and relatives who have to witness such attacks. The statistics show that Asthma is getting out of control in the UK, with more than 1400 deaths and 75,000 people taken to hospital each year.

"Asthma should be easy to control but this survey suggests many sufferers do not believe they get the right treatment or advice. It is important that children especially are given the right medication and are given the right advice on how to control their symptoms.

"Asthma sufferers like myself, quite rightly feel neglected by the Government. It has prioritised areas like heart disease, cancer and diabetes at the expense of respiratory diseases.

"It is time the government addressed this problem and provided adequate resources to allow scientists to research the causes, so we can at least halt the dramatic increase we have seen over the last decade."