Asthma deaths soar 33 per cent in just a decade, shocking figures show
DEATHS from asthma have soared by a third in the past decade, figures reveal.
Last year 1,422 Brits were killed by the lung condition — four a day — a rise of 33 per cent on a decade earlier, when there were 1,071 deaths.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also show an increase in men dying from the condition, with 436 men dying in 2018 compared to 370 the previous year.
Campaigners warn a lack of basic care and complacency among GPs and patients is fuelling the dramatic rise.
And experts claim most of deaths are needless, with two in three avoidable with the right treatment.
About five million Brits live with the condition that triggers breathing difficulties with attacks that can be fatal.
Needless deaths
According to Asthma UK, around 60 per cent of people with asthma in England and Wales - an estimated 2.9 million people - are not receiving basic care as recommended by national guidelines, the charity added.
A review commissioned by the NHS and Department for Health five years ago found that two-thirds of asthma deaths could have been prevented by better basic care.
But Asthma UK said only one of its 19 recommendations have been "partially" implemented.
Kay Boycott, chief executive of Asthma UK, said: "It is completely unacceptable that thousands of people with asthma in England and Wales have died needlessly 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.
It is completely unacceptable that thousands of people with asthma in England and Wales have died needlessly from asthma attacks
Kay Boycott
"The same mistakes are being made again and again because essential recommendations have not been implemented. This lack of action is costing lives and devastating families and communities.
"The Government must act now to ensure that everyone with asthma in England and Wales 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."
Around 4.8 million people in England and Wales are thought to suffer from asthma.
More than 12,700 people have died from the condition in England and Wales in the last decade.
The figures also showed a 24 per cent increase in asthma deaths in the South East over 12 months, rising from 191 in 2017 to 237 in 2018.
What to do in an asthma attack?
- Sit up straight - try to keep calm
- Take one puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) every 30-60 seconds up to 10 puffs
- If you feel worse at any point OR you don't feel better after 10 puffs call 999 for an ambulance
- Repeat step 2 after 15 minutes while you're waiting for an ambulance
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Deaths in London rose 17 per cent from 151 in 2017 to 176 in 2018.
Mike Morgan, national clinical director for respiratory services at NHS England, said: "Asthma UK worked closely with the NHS to develop proposals in our Long Term Plan, which sets out measures including better diagnosis of the condition, improved medicine reviews and stronger guidance for local health services to better support families living with asthma, all of which will contribute to more than three million people benefiting from improved respiratory, stroke and cardiac services over the next decade.
"But as we've seen this week, with confirmation that one third of childhood asthma cases are linked to air pollution, it's clear that a big part of this challenge cannot be met by the NHS alone."
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