Asthma on the rise for young people in Shropshire

In the year up to March 2017, there were 374 asthma-related admissions in Telford & Wrekin for every 100,000 children and another 344 in the rest of Shropshire.

During the 12 months, 217 people under 19 were admitted to hospital in Shropshire – 137 boys and 80 girls – and 99 boys and 57 girls in Telford.

Asthma is a common lung condition that can cause breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There is currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control.

A charity fighting to stop asthma said this increase is "extremely distressing" and put the trend down to the lack of care, and complacency about the condition.

Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at Asthma UK, said: “It is extremely distressing that the rate of children and teenagers admitted to hospital because of their asthma is on the rise.

"While the reasons for this rise are not entirely clear, a lack of basic care – including an asthma action plan, inhaler technique check and annual asthma review - could be to blame. We also know that a lack of understanding of the seriousness of asthma could also play a part.

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"We are urging the NHS to invest in frontline asthma services to give people with asthma the basic care they need to keep them out of hospital.

"Parents concerned about their children's asthma health should make sure their child takes their medicines, follows a written asthma action plan and attends an annual review with a GP or asthma nurse."

In England, the rate of asthma-related admissions in 2016-17 was 203 in every 100,000 children, 4.5 per cent higher than five years earlier.

Boys are more likely to end up in hospital due to asthma than girls. The rates across England show 223 admissions for every 100,000 boys compared to 170 for girls.

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

Allergies, colds, smoking, exercise and even cold air are among the most common triggers of asthma attacks.

Asthma UK said there is not enough scientific evidence to suggest air pollution is linked to asthma despite anecdotal reports that it can trigger the condition.

According to NHS estimates, asthma attacks kills three people in the UK every day.