How Has The BTS/NICE/SIGN Guideline Changed Asthma Care?

Across England and Wales, hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbations are not reducing as we would have expected post-NRAD.^1,2 This in part has led to changes in the way clinicians approach asthma care. 

Asthma treatment guidelines have been amended to address these poor asthma outcomes.  

Respiratory Nurse Specialist Joanne Hamilton outlines what this change means for her, and how this has been implemented in practice. She also provides top tips for all healthcare professionals to consider in their consultations.

References

1. Royal College of Physicians. Why asthma still kills: The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD). May 2014. https://www.rcp.ac.uk/media/i2jjkbmc/why-asthma-still-kills-full-report.pdf

2. Taskforce for Lung Health. Taskforce’s letter marking a decade since the National Review of Asthma Deaths. May 2024. https://www.taskforceforlunghealth.org.uk/taskforces-letter-marking-a-decade-since-the-national-review-of-asthma-deaths

3. Capstick TGD, et al. Clin Drug Investig. 2024;44(2):109–114

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• Jo Hamilton

  Respiratory Nurse Specialist and Principal CYP Asthma Practitioner

  Read biography
  Jo Hamilton

  Respiratory Nurse Specialist and Principal CYP Asthma Practitioner Black Country Integrated Care Board

  Role and Location
  Jo is a Respiratory Nurse Specialist and Principal CYP Asthma Practitioner at Black Country Integrated Care Board. She is also the West Midlands Primary Care Respiratory Lead.

  Research Interests
  She is passionate about upskilling and supporting the development of healthcare professionals in respiratory care and management. Her work has included simplifying treatment guidelines and pathways, as well as designing effective training programmes, shaped around the needs of clinicians and allied health professionals, resulting in improved outcomes for patients.

  Memberships
  Jo has won the HSJ Vision Award for her work in the Dudley Integrated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Local Enhanced Service and Pathway and sits on several local NHS Committees and the Black Country Local Health Economies, including co-chairing The Black Country Respiratory Medicines Management Subgroup.