Pilot to tackle asthma

May 1 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH Academy is one of the first schools in Tayside to sign up to a pilot project to tackle asthma in schoolchildren.

There are 1518 children in Perth and Kinross with asthma and to make sure they receive the right treatment and care, NHS Tayside – along with Perth and Kinross Council Education and Children’s Services and Asthma UK – have begun a pilot project to tackle asthma in children.

The project sets out to train teachers in the management of acute asthma attacks, medication and understanding of the possible impact on education.

It will also seek to ensure that children with asthma have an individual healthcare plan appropriate to their needs.

Currently the administration of medicines in schools policy does not cover asthma.

Ruth Houston, Practice Nurse, NHS Tayside, explained: “Asthma is not just a health issue as it can result in tiredness, poor performance, increased absenteeism and anxiety and stress.

“We know from our research, asthma can be a major reason for a child not attending or performing at school, so implementing this project should address this.”

Perth Academy has organised two training events for teachers. Twenty-one schools throughout Perth and Kinross are interested in the project. The project has already been rolled out in 500 schools in Angus.