The number of people dying from asthma attacks has risen by a third in a decade, figures reveal today.
More than 12,700 people have “needlessly” been killed by the condition in the last ten years and poor care is to blame, according to charity Asthma UK.
The death toll is now at its highest level this decade.
More than 1,400 people died of asthma attacks in England and Wales in 2018, a rise of 8% on 2017.
Asthma deaths soared by 42% among people aged 35-44 last year, according to Asthma UK’s analysis of data from the Office for National Statistic.
Asthma UK claims poor treatment is to blame, as 60% of patients – around 2.9 million people – are not receiving basic care in line with national guidelines.
Asthma UK chief executive Kay Boycott said: “It is completely unacceptable that thousands of people 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 attacks could have been prevented with basic care, yet we are still seeing lives cut short.”
Asthma UK said many patients are missing out on support they are entitled to. Ms Boycott called on the NHS to take urgent action.
She said: “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 NHS must act now to ensure that everyone with asthma 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.
“The NHS needs to ensure that all healthcare professionals are providing this care to patients.”
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the figures are “deeply concerning” and show GPs need more resources.
She explained: “We need more GPs and more members of the practice team so that we can spend longer with our patients with asthma.”
Around 5.4 million people in Britain are receiving treatment for asthma, including 1.1 million children. Someone suffers an attack every ten seconds.
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