Liz Lynne calls for increased Asthma awareness among health professionals and the public

3.11.29pm GMT Fri 23rd Dec 2005

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, today met with David Wetton, Director of Corporate Strategy for the Warwickshire based Education for Health, formerly the National Respiratory Training Centre, an international educational medical charity, providing training to health professionals in asthma management.

Speaking after the meeting, Liz said;

"This is a great organisation whose work serves to highlight the need for greater education health professionals in order to improve the care of asthma patients.

"As an asthma sufferer myself, I feel that there is a real need to make sure that information is made readily available. 5.1m people currently suffer from asthma in the UK and there are still around 1400 deaths per year. Most of which could be prevented with appropriate routine & emergency care.

"I hope that by promoting the benefits of improved education and training to health practitioners, much more specialist training will be made available throughout the EU."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Education for Health is the first training centre of its type. It aims to improve care of patients with respiratory and allergic diseases by providing relevant and up to date education and promotion of evidence based research to support respiratory training.

Since 1987, more than 32,000 health professionals in over 45 countries have used the NRTC

In the academic year 2004/2005, 5000 students studied with the NRTC.

Of the 5.1m asthma sufferers in the UK 0.5m are on no medicines to control their asthma and 2.1m suffer symptoms as a result of failure in management. There is an inadequate level of treatment, poor compliance and a lack of self management. (Reference: Asthma UK Living on a knife edge).

Education for Health, formerly the NRTC are currently carrying out a UK survey of Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) service in primary care.

For more information on Education for Health go to www.educationforhealth.org.uk