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Learn about School Streets, initiatives to reduce traffic and pollution around schools in Greater Manchester, improving children’s health and safety through active travel solutions.

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Can any child use the school's emergency blue inhaler?

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Can any child use the school's emergency blue inhaler?

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Making sure your child stays safe with their asthma at school or nursery can feel a bit daunting.

Your child may be going back to school or nursery for a new term, starting school or nursery for the first time or joining a new school or nursery. If your child has asthma, or suspected asthma, you may worry about how to prepare for this.

It's important to make sure the school or nursery knows all about your child's asthma, to make sure that everyone is clear about how to manage your child's asthma well.

Book a meeting with your child's teacher or keyworker

This can be a really useful meeting, where you can talk through important information about your child's asthma. This might not be able to happen in person at the moment - you could ask if a telephone or video call is possible.

You might want to check if other people can be there too, like the school nurse or the headteacher.

If your child is old enough, you might want to bring them along too.

In the meeting, it's a good idea to talk about the following:

Talk staff through your child's asthma action plan and give staff a copy to keep.

Let them know what your child's usual triggers are and explain how asthma affects your child. This includes their symptoms and signs that they need to use their reliever inhaler, like wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and a tight chest.

Make sure the school know how to contact you if your child has any asthma symptoms at school or nursery - for example, if they needed to use their reliever inhaler. It is also important that you let the school know if your child is getting asthma symptoms at home.

Show the teacher or keyworker your child's reliever inhaler and explain how to use it. All staff that have contact with your child should know how to look after your child's asthma. This includes lunchtime supervisors and supply teachers.

Explain that if your child has a spacer, they must always use it, as it helps their inhaler to work better.

Download a school asthma card. A school asthma card includes contact details and essential information about your child's asthma. Fill it in with your child's GP or asthma nurse and take it into your child's school.

Here are a few questions you could ask your child's teacher or keyworker

If my child is displaying asthma symptoms, such as a cough, will they be sent home from school?

How would you like me to let you know about any changes to my child's asthma?

How will you let me know about any asthma symptoms my child is having at school?

What is your medical conditions policy? This covers how they will care for children with conditions like asthma.

What is the school's policy on attendance? This is a chance to talk about any concerns you may have about your child being too unwell to come to school, or if they have to miss school to attend appointments.

What asthma training have staff had at this school?

How will my child be included in, and kept safe during, school trips and sports day?

Don't forget to tell school and nursery staff about our website, WhatsApp chat and Helpline. The more they know about asthma, the more able they'll be to look after your child.

Ask about an Individual Healthcare Plan

Some children with medical conditions like asthma have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP).

This sets out key points about your child's asthma, so the school knows how to support them. This includes their symptoms, medicines and what to do in an emergency.

Not all children with asthma need an IHP. It's a good idea to have one if your child's asthma symptoms often get worse, as this could lead to an asthma attack.

Your child's headteacher has overall responsibility for IHPs, so they're the person to ask if you think your child needs one. As a parent or carer, you can be involved in the drafting of your child's IHP.

If your child does not have an IHP, make sure the school has a school asthma card for your child, and a copy of their asthma action plan.

Manage your child's medicines

Your child may need to use their medicines at school or nursery, especially their reliever inhaler (usually blue).

Make sure your child's inhaler is in date, and kept in the original box with the prescription label attached and instructions included. It's also a good to label your child's inhaler with their name and class.

Make sure your child knows where their inhaler is kept and can access it easily - it shouldn't be locked away.

If your child needs to take any extra medicines during school or nursery hours, make sure you've given written permission. This is something that can be recorded on your child's school asthma card.

If your child's school keeps spare emergency reliever inhalers, find out where they're kept. Your child may need to use one if they can't use their own inhaler.

Under normal circumstances, the metered dose inhaler can be cleaned. However, due to COVID-19, it may be safer to throw away the inhaler after it is used, rather than washing it. The spacer will always be thrown away, as it can't be used by another child.

If your child's school does not keep spare emergency reliever inhalers, tell them about the new national guidance. Find out more about the campaign for inhalers in school, and the new law passed in 2014 to allow emergency inhalers to be kept in school.

Plan for asthma attacks

Staff that look after your child need to know the signs of an asthma attack and when to call 999.

The school should have a copy of your child's asthma action plan which should list their asthma attack symptoms and step-by-step instructions on what to do.

Help staff understand that your child shouldn't be left alone without an adult until they're feeling better.

Your child should not be sent to get their own inhaler - someone needs to bring it to them.

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There is a dramatic rise in the number of children rushed to hospital due to their asthma in the autumn term - make sure your child is ready to go back to school.

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Please use this to advise what you need within your school emergency kit.

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Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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Supply of Salbutamol Inhalers to Schools Pharmacy Guide - changes in revised guide
Asthma is the most common chronic condition, affecting one in ten children. On average, there are three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK. There are over 25,000 emergency hospital admissions for asthma amongst children a year in the UK.

Children should have their own reliever inhaler at school to treat symptoms and for use in the event of an asthma attack. If they are able to manage their asthma themselves, they should keep their inhaler on them. If not, it should be easily accessible to them.

However, an Asthma UK survey[1] found that 86% of children with asthma have at some time been without an inhaler at school, having forgotten, lost or broken it, or the inhaler having run out.

From 1st October 2014, the Human Medicines (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014[2] allows schools to buy salbutamol inhalers, without a prescription, for use in emergencies[3] (see https://www.rpharms.com/resources/quick-reference-guides/supply-of-salbutamol-inhalers-to-schools for more information).

Schools are not required to hold an inhaler - this legislation provides a discretionary power enabling schools to do so if they wish. However, keeping an inhaler for emergency use could prevent an unnecessary and traumatic trip to hospital for a child, and potentially save their life. Parents are likely to have greater peace of mind about sending their child to school. National guidance recommends that schools have a protocol on how and when the inhaler should be used. This will ensure staff know what to do in the event of a child having an asthma attack. Equally, pharmacies are not required to make a mandatory supply of an inhaler to schools, however changes in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Medicines, Ethics and Practice[4] (MEP) do allow a pharmacy to do so.

Feedback from schools and pharmacies in London indicates a lower than expected use of the new legislation and significant variation in understanding. For example, there is confusion around cost, legal requirements and quantities of inhalers which can be supplied.
This document aims to provide an easy-to-use reference guide for pharmacies in London on how the legislation should work in practice, thus:

Making it easy for pharmacies and schools to apply the legislation by addressing some of the misunderstandings and misinterpretations reported

Complementing the guidance issued to schools in London by the Department of Health and Social Care (DH)

Providing a consistent approach across London

Supporting the London Quality Standards for Children & Young People with Asthma

Providing pharmacists with the information they need to supply schools with inhalers with confidence.

[1] https://www.asthma.org.uk/schoolinhalers

[2] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1878/contents/made

[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-asthma-inhalers-for-use-in-schools

[4] https://www.rpharms.com/publications/the-mep

Summary of the guidance

Which schools are included?

This change applies to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, both state and private. It does not apply to nurseries or children's clubs e.g. scouts.

Is this an NHS Service?

No, this is private transaction between the school and the pharmacy.

Is this a free service?

No, this service is not funded by the NHS, CCGs, Local Authority or the Department for Education. Pharmacies are not required to provide inhalers or spacers free of charge to schools: the school must pay for them as a retail item.

Is there any guidance on cost?

No, this is a private transaction and it is down to the pharmacy and school to negotiate a price.

In what circumstance can a child or young person receive an emergency inhaler?

The emergency salbutamol inhaler should only be used by children:

With written parental consent for use of the emergency inhaler

Who have either been diagnosed with asthma and prescribed an inhaler

Who have been prescribed an inhaler as reliever medication.

Does the pharmacist have to see the written parental consent?

No, it is the school's responsibility.

Is a prescription required?

No, schools can buy inhalers and spacers from a pharmaceutical supplier, such as a local pharmacy or internet pharmacy without a prescription, using a signed order.

Who can provide the signed order?

The principal or head teacher at the school must sign the order to enable a supply to be made to the school.

What information should be on the signed order?

In line with legislation requirements, the order must be signed by the principal or head teacher at the school concerned and state:

The name of the school for which the medicinal product is required

The purpose for which that product is required

The total quantity required

Ideally, appropriately headed paper should be used; however, this is not a legislative requirement.

What type of inhalers can be purchased?

Only salbutamol metered dosage inhalers (MDIs) may be purchased. Other inhalers types cannot be supplied - autohaler, novoliser, accuhaler, easyhaler, easi-breathe, clickhaler are excluded.

Inhalers containing other drugs e.g. inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), or other short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) e.g. terbutaline cannot be purchased. Combination inhalers where one of the drugs is salbutamol are also excluded.

What type of spacers can be purchased?

It is important that spacers purchased are compatible with salbutamol MDIs and are also suitable for use in the age group of intended use.

There are several small volume spacers available, for example, the Aerochamber[1], Able Spacer[2], Space Chamber Plus[3], A2A Spacer[4] and Pocket Chamber[5]

All these spacers have a multi-fit flange which means any MDI will fit into the spacer

The Volumatic is a large volume spacer which is fitted with a one-way valve at the mouthpiece. It is made specifically for the manufacturers' own products, although other makes of MDIs do fit the Volumatic.

Further information on spacer use and inhaler compatibility in children and young people can be accessed through Healthy London Partnership's asthma toolkit[6], Asthma UK's videos on inhalers[7] and spacers[8] and from RightBreathe[9].

How many inhalers or spacers can a school purchase?

There is no restriction on the number of inhalers or spacers a school can purchase. Schools have been issued with guidance on retaining emergency asthma kits and what they should contain. One kit should contain two salbutamol inhalers and at least two spacer devices that can be plastic or disposable. During Covid, to avoid possible risk of cross-infection and especially as children could have asymptomatic disease, the advice provided was that plastic spacers should not be reused and should instead be given to the child to take home for future personal use. This advice has now changed, however (see next section).

It is suggested that schools have two inhalers and spacers in stock so that there is always a new one ready for any emergency situation. If there is only one in stock, the used one should not be disposed of until a replacement is available. In the unusual situation of a queue of people needing emergency bronchodilation (for example in thunderstorm asthma) it is safer to use the same used inhaler than to withhold treatment.

Post-Covid advice on spacer usage

Since May 2023, the advice states that if a valved spacer is used (for example an Aerochamber), it should be washed in soapy water and allowed to dry naturally. The outer casing of the inhaler must also be wiped. Both the inhaler and spacer can then be re-used by the school in an emergency kit.

The advice is different if the spacer used is disposable. As disposable spacers are not valved and tidal breathing would mean breath goes back into the aerosol inhaler (thereby contaminating it) both inhalers and disposable spacers should not be reused. The spacer should be given to the child to take home for future personal use.

In the latter scenario, salbutamol inhalers should be single patient use [10]. The used salbutamol inhaler must be disposed of after that individual's treatment is complete.

A full list of contents of an emergency kit is listed in Appendix 1 along with an example. When considering the number of inhalers, consideration should be given to:

The number of pupils who have asthma

The size of the school (minimum of two inhalers per school with at least one inhaler per site)

The number of sites over which the school is located

The number of emergency kits required

What records need to be kept in the pharmacy?

The signed order needs to be retained for 2 years from the date of supply or an entry made into the Prescription-Only-Medicine (POM) register. Even where the signed order is retained it is good practice to make a record in the POM register for audit purposes. In line with normal record keeping requirements an entry in the POM register must include:

Date the POM was supplied

Name, quantity and (where it is not apparent) formulation and strength of POM supplied

Name and address, trade, business or profession of the person to whom the medicine was supplied

The purpose for which it was sold or supplied

Where can information on a school and head teachers or principals be sourced?

There is no centralised database containing details of schools and head teachers across Great Britain. Possible sources of information would include:

What advice or information are pharmacies expected to provide?

As with the supply of medicines in other scenarios to patients and the public, it is expected that pharmacists will provide advice on the use of inhalers and spacers. Supporting information can be accessed through Healthy London Partnership's asthma toolkit[11], Asthma UK's videos on inhalers[12] and spacers[13] and from RightBreathe[14].

Pharmacists can also offer practical advice[15] on how schools can adhere to the DH guidance.

Pharmacists are recommended to familiarise themselves with this guidance, which is a short 22-page document, and the subsequent guidance in MEP[16].

Adherence to DH guidance

Appendix 2 provides information resources that the pharmacist can supply to schools to support staff and pupils in the safe and effective use of inhalers and MDIs within emergency asthma kits.

DH guidance for schools[17] states in relation to emergency asthma kits:

Check on a monthly basis that the inhaler and spacers are present and in working order, and the inhaler has sufficient number of doses available

Obtain replacement inhalers when expiry dates approach

Replace spacers with new ones following use

Batch number and expiry dates

Pharmacists can advise schools on how to recognise batch numbers and how to interpret expiry dates.

Number of doses

Some MDIs may contain a dosage counter, whilst others do not. Depending upon the type of MDI purchased, schools can be advised when it may be time to replace the inhaler.

Choice of MDI

The legislation only supports the purchase of a salbutamol MDI inhaler; pharmacists can provide advice to schools on the correct type of inhaler. There are a number of different types of salbutamol MDIs, both branded and generics are available. I is important to ensure that schools do not become confused.

Cleaning

Since May 2023, the advice states that if a valved spacer is used (for example an Aerochamber), it should be washed in soapy water and allowed to dry naturally. The outer casing of the inhaler must also be wiped. Both the inhaler and spacer can then be re-used by the school in an emergency kit.

The advice is different if the spacer used is disposable. As disposable spacers are not valved and tidal breathing would mean breath goes back into the aerosol inhaler (thereby contaminating it) both inhalers and disposable spacers should not be reused. The spacer should be given to the child to take home for future personal use.

In the latter scenario, salbutamol inhalers should be single patient use [10]. The used salbutamol inhaler must be disposed of after that individual's treatment is complete.

Disposal

DH guidance to schools states:

Manufacturers' guidelines usually recommend that spent inhalers are returned to the pharmacy to be recycled, rather than being thrown away.

Spacer selection (see appendix 2)

Pharmacists have an important role in advising schools on the correct selection of the most appropriate spacer device for the MDI.

To avoid possible risk of cross-infection, the plastic spacer should not be reused. It can be given to the child to take home for future personal use.

Inhaler technique

Correct inhaler technique should be reinforced at regular opportunities, pharmacists can be a useful resource in supporting schools and their staff who may not be familiar with good inhaler technique. Detailed information on good inhaler technique in children and young people is available through Healthy London Partnership's asthma toolkit, Asthma UK's videos on inhalers and spacers and from RightBreathe. Asthma UK has more information on tidal breathing.

[1] https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/facemask-child/

[2] https://www.rightbreathe.com/spacers/able-2-spacer-clement-clarke-international-ltd-1-device/?s=&device_type=spacer

[3] https://www.rightbreathe.com/spacers/2292/?s=&device_type=spacer

[4] https://www.rightbreathe.com/spacers/a2a-spacer-clement-clarke-international-ltd-1-device/

[5] https://www.rightbreathe.com/spacers/pocket-chamber-nspire-health-ltd-1-device/

[6] https://www.transformationpartnersinhealthandcare.nhs.uk/resource/london-asthma-toolkit/pharmacy/inhalers/

[7] https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/child/medicines/help/

[8] https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/spacers/

[9] https://www.rightbreathe.com/

[10] Policy lead of PCRS email 21/4/23

[11] https://www.transformationpartnersinhealthandcare.nhs.uk/resource/london-asthma-toolkit/pharmacy/inhalers/

[12] https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/child/medicines/help/

[13] https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/spacers/

[14] https://www.rightbreathe.com/

[15] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416468/emergency_inhalers_in_schools.pdf

[16] https://www.rpharms.com/publications/the-mep

[17] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-asthma-inhalers-for-use-in-schools

[18] Chair of PCRS email 11/11/20

[19] http://bit.ly/2NGMBQ9

An emergency asthma inhaler kit should include:

Two salbutamol metered dose inhalers (MDIs)

At least two plastic or disposable spacers compatible with the inhaler

Instructions on using the inhaler and plastic or disposable spacer

Advice that the salbutamol inhaler is single patient use only because of the risk of Covid-19

instructions on storing and disposing of the inhaler / spacer (if disposable)

Manufacturers' information

A checklist of inhalers, identified by their batch number and expiry date, with monthly checks recorded

A note of the arrangements for replacing the inhaler and spacers

A list of children permitted to use the emergency inhaler as detailed in their individual healthcare plans

A record of administration (i.e. when the inhaler has been used)[1]

Below is an example of an emergency asthma kit recommended by Healthy London Partnership.

At least two single-use plastic or disposable spacers compatible with the inhaler (see https://bit.ly/3nATvmj for disposable spacers); Ventolin and Salamol are compatible with this spacer. For others please check

Instructions on how to administer inhaler using spacer/plastic chamber RightBreathe ( https://www.rightbreathe.com/)

Asthma Champion's Details

Advice on the appropriate use and care of a spacer device along with which spacer device to use at different ages can be found here[2].

Acknowledgements

The 2015 guide was developed by Donal Markey and Sara Nelson

Darush Attar-Zadeh, Respiratory Lead Pharmacist North Central London CCG (Barnet Borough)

Richard Chavasse, Consultant Paediatrician, St George's Hospital

Emily Guilmant-Farry, Asthma Nurse Specialist (Newham), East London NHS Foundation Trust

Georgie Herskovits, Programme Manager - Children and Young People, Healthy London Partnership

Christine Kirkpatrick, Programme Manager - Children and Young People, Healthy London Partnership

Karen Rodesano, Islington Children and Young People Long Term Condition Nurse, Whittington Hospital

Sukeshi Makhecha, Highly Specialist Pharmacist-Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Evelina London Children's Hospital

Reena Rabheru-Dodhy, Senior Primary Care Pharmacist, NHS South West London CCG

Alison Summerfield Paediatric Nurse Consultant - Respiratory & Allergy, The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust

[1] Guidance on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers in schools March 2015, DH

[2] https://www.transformationpartnersinhealthandcare.nhs.uk/resource/london-asthma-toolkit/pharmacy/inhalers/

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Supply of Salbutamol Inhalers to Schools - Pharmacy Guide - Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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Supply of Salbutamol Inhalers to Schools Pharmacy Guide - changes in revised guide Asthma is the most common chronic condition, affecting one in ten children. On average, there are three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK. There are over 25,000 emergency hospital admissions for asthma amongst children a year in the UK.

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 Description of Roles and Responsibilities

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 Description of Roles and Responsibilities

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This declaration booklet outlines the standards required for Asthma Friendly School accreditation. Please complete all relevant sections and tick each standard once it has been successfully implemented. The completed booklet should then be submitted to the Children's Asthma Team for review and accreditation

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Welcome to this Padlet - it's full of information to help your school reach Asthma Friendly School's Accreditation.

Each section is titled so you can easily find what you're looking for.

Scroll across to see all the sections.

Once you have the section you want, scroll down to click on the link that you want to watch or read.

You can download and print resources directly from the padlet, letters can be edited to suit your school.

If you have any problems with the padlet, please contact Cassandra.Cox@mft.nhs.uk

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Pharmacy letter: Requesting Emergency Inhalers (Emergency kit/procedure in place)

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Pharmacy letter: Requesting Emergency Inhalers (Emergency kit/procedure in place)

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Example Letter to Community Pharmacy for Emergency Kit Salbutamol Inhaler and Spacer

Please ask the pharmacist to demonstrate inhaler and spacer use if not familiar with the inhaler and/or spacer.

Please ensure letter is on School Headed Paper

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Cleaning your AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Chamber - Trudell Medical International

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Facilitating Asthma Friendly Schools Training - 12/11/2025

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Facilitating Asthma Friendly Schools Training - 12/11/2025

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This is the most recent training and the one we would recommend you to watch to understand how to meet the standards.

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Asthma nurse contact Tel : 0161 529 6638

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Asthma nurse contact Tel : 0161 529 6638

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AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Valved Holding Chamber - Mouthpiece Instructions

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We have created/ sourced a range of letter templates you may find useful to communicate with parents with regard to meeting the Asthma Friendly School Standards. Please download and edit in line with your school design.

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Example Letter to Parents Requesting Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP)- This letter can be used where consent for the emergency inhaler has already been given but there is no Personal Asthma Action Plan in school. Where consent has yet to be obtained, please see the example letter for consent which also requests parents provide a copy of the PAAP.

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KEY DOCUMENT -  School Referral to Asthma Nurses

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KEY DOCUMENT -  School Referral to Asthma Nurses

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Greater Manchester School Asthma Guide

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Our brand new Walk to School Week Activity Packs are now LIVE! Our five-day walking challenge is the perfect activity to run as part of our annual celebration of the walk to school in May, Walk to School Week.

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Active Travel Hub: Walking, Cycling and Scootering for All

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A selection of material that can displayed in school, as well as used as helpful hand outs for parents of children on the asthma register.

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Vaping -resource PADLET for professionals

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Vaping -resource PADLET for professionals

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You may adapt this template for your school use

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Child's Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP)

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Child's Personal Asthma Action Plan (PAAP)

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You, if you or your child, is over 11 years old with a long term condition

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Children who can use the emergency inhaler

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Children who can use the emergency inhaler

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Asthma management techniques Bengali #bengali

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Tips for parents to help manage childhood asthma - Urdu translation

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Tips for parents to help manage childhood asthma - Bengali translation

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If you have a damp problem in your rented home, look for the cause.

Penetrating damp can be caused by:

Rising damp is when groundwater soaks up into the bricks or concrete of the building. It can affect basements and ground floor rooms.

Tell your landlord immediately if you spot penetrating or rising damp.

It will usually be their responsibility to fix the problem and make good any damage.

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Damp and mould in private rented homes - Shelter England

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Find out how to report damp and mould to a private landlord or letting agent, which damp problems your landlord must fix and how to deal with condensation.

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Damp and mould | Useful tools | Housing Ombudsman

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This page brings together the Damp and Mould report with other documents and information published since then on the topic.

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Children are particularly at risk from air pollution, as their immune systems, lungs and brains are still developing. Air pollution can affect children's physical health, their ability to learn, and even lead to death. Yet millions of children are still exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution, as almost all UK schools are in areas above WHO air pollution limits.

We need to safeguard children from air pollution now, to help them achieve their best life chances, and to ensure this generation, and the environment they live in, is healthy.

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Children are particularly at risk from air pollution, as their immune systems, lungs and brains are still developing. Air pollution can affect children's physical health, their ability to learn, and even lead to death. Yet millions of children are still exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution, as almost all UK schools are in areas above WHO air pollution limits.

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Pupils diagnosed with asthma: (Asthma Register example)

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Pupils diagnosed with asthma: (Asthma Register example)

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This is a great video, particularly for secondary school aged children. It demonstrates how an asthma attack should be handled in a classroom setting.

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Updating Asthma Record Primary School age

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Updating Asthma Record Primary School age

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Year 6 Transition Letter - Asthma Management

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Year 6 Transition Letter - Asthma Management

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After completing the transition power point with year 6 pupils on the asthma register please send this letter to all the year 6 pupils F.A.O the parents. Please edit to include you school logos etc.

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Making sure your child stays safe with their asthma at school or nursery can feel a bit daunting.

Your child may be going back to school or nursery for a new term, starting school or nursery for the first time or joining a new school or nursery. If your child has asthma, or suspected asthma, you may worry about how to prepare for this.

It's important to make sure the school or nursery knows all about your child's asthma, to make sure that everyone is clear about how to manage your child's asthma well.

Book a meeting with your child's teacher or keyworker

This can be a really useful meeting, where you can talk through important information about your child's asthma. This might not be able to happen in person at the moment - you could ask if a telephone or video call is possible.

You might want to check if other people can be there too, like the school nurse or the headteacher.

If your child is old enough, you might want to bring them along too.

In the meeting, it's a good idea to talk about the following:

Talk staff through your child's asthma action plan and give staff a copy to keep.

Let them know what your child's usual triggers are and explain how asthma affects your child. This includes their symptoms and signs that they need to use their reliever inhaler, like wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and a tight chest.

Make sure the school know how to contact you if your child has any asthma symptoms at school or nursery - for example, if they needed to use their reliever inhaler. It is also important that you let the school know if your child is getting asthma symptoms at home.

Show the teacher or keyworker your child's reliever inhaler and explain how to use it. All staff that have contact with your child should know how to look after your child's asthma. This includes lunchtime supervisors and supply teachers.

Explain that if your child has a spacer, they must always use it, as it helps their inhaler to work better.

Download a school asthma card. A school asthma card includes contact details and essential information about your child's asthma. Fill it in with your child's GP or asthma nurse and take it into your child's school.

Here are a few questions you could ask your child's teacher or keyworker

If my child is displaying asthma symptoms, such as a cough, will they be sent home from school?

How would you like me to let you know about any changes to my child's asthma?

How will you let me know about any asthma symptoms my child is having at school?

What is your medical conditions policy? This covers how they will care for children with conditions like asthma.

What is the school's policy on attendance? This is a chance to talk about any concerns you may have about your child being too unwell to come to school, or if they have to miss school to attend appointments.

What asthma training have staff had at this school?

How will my child be included in, and kept safe during, school trips and sports day?

Don't forget to tell school and nursery staff about our website, WhatsApp chat and Helpline. The more they know about asthma, the more able they'll be to look after your child.

Ask about an Individual Healthcare Plan

Some children with medical conditions like asthma have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP).

This sets out key points about your child's asthma, so the school knows how to support them. This includes their symptoms, medicines and what to do in an emergency.

Not all children with asthma need an IHP. It's a good idea to have one if your child's asthma symptoms often get worse, as this could lead to an asthma attack.

Your child's headteacher has overall responsibility for IHPs, so they're the person to ask if you think your child needs one. As a parent or carer, you can be involved in the drafting of your child's IHP.

If your child does not have an IHP, make sure the school has a school asthma card for your child, and a copy of their asthma action plan.

Manage your child's medicines

Your child may need to use their medicines at school or nursery, especially their reliever inhaler (usually blue).

Make sure your child's inhaler is in date, and kept in the original box with the prescription label attached and instructions included. It's also a good to label your child's inhaler with their name and class.

Make sure your child knows where their inhaler is kept and can access it easily - it shouldn't be locked away.

If your child needs to take any extra medicines during school or nursery hours, make sure you've given written permission. This is something that can be recorded on your child's school asthma card.

If your child's school keeps spare emergency reliever inhalers, find out where they're kept. Your child may need to use one if they can't use their own inhaler.

Under normal circumstances, the metered dose inhaler can be cleaned. However, due to COVID-19, it may be safer to throw away the inhaler after it is used, rather than washing it. The spacer will always be thrown away, as it can't be used by another child.

If your child's school does not keep spare emergency reliever inhalers, tell them about the new national guidance. Find out more about the campaign for inhalers in school, and the new law passed in 2014 to allow emergency inhalers to be kept in school.

Plan for asthma attacks

Staff that look after your child need to know the signs of an asthma attack and when to call 999.

The school should have a copy of your child's asthma action plan which should list their asthma attack symptoms and step-by-step instructions on what to do.

Help staff understand that your child shouldn't be left alone without an adult until they're feeling better.

Your child should not be sent to get their own inhaler - someone needs to bring it to them.

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There is a dramatic rise in the number of children rushed to hospital due to their asthma in the autumn term - make sure your child is ready to go back to school.

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1:2:2 Knowledge - The How And Why Of Asthma

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Year 6 transition to Secondary School: Asthma Care

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Year 6 transition to Secondary School: Asthma Care

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We recommend a session with year 6 pupils on the asthma register to educate them on the condition and provide advice about manging their asthma in a high school setting.  Letter template that corresponds to this session in 'Parent letter template' section.

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Even before COVID-19, NHS hospital admissions for lung conditions were rising three times faster than average admissions. People living with lung conditions are often overlooked and being left behind. Their condition isn't accurately diagnosed at an early stage - and even when they are diagnosed, they're not given the care they need.

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We're the only UK charity looking after the nation's lungs. Together, we're making sure that one day everyone will breathe clean air with healthy lungs.

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Moving On Asthma Hi there! Welcome to the Moving On Asthma website – a resource for young people living with asthma. Develop those essential self-management skills and learn to access healthcare independently one video at a time. From what is asthma to ordering prescriptions, we’ve got it covered. I…

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Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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This year's campaign week takes place from 11-17 September 2023

NHS England - London's #AskAboutAsthma campaign returns in September for its seventh year to raise awareness around childhood asthma and how to manage it.

#AskAboutAsthma highlights the simple changes to children and young people's care that will make a big difference to how they experience their asthma. Led by NHS England - London's Babies, Children and Young People programme, the aim is for every person involved in the care of a child or young person with asthma - from GPs and nurses to parents/carers, teachers and youth group leaders - to know about the four asks that can help every person to manage their condition and live full, active lives.

Details about this year's campaign will be added to this page over the coming months. You can also catch up on the 2022 campaign here.

See our asthma care page for children, young people, families and carers for practical tips on getting the right asthma management in place.
Browse this page or jump to:
1. Campaign aims 2. Get involved - download a communications toolkits 3. Campaign week webinars and virtual conference
#AskAboutAsthma campaign aims

As part of the #AskAboutAsthma campaign, we want everyone involved in the care of children and young people with asthma to be even more prepared for week 38 - the week where nationally there is a rise in asthma attacks following the return to school after the summer holidays. By sharing learning, resources and key information, we can help even more children and young people to ask about asthma and get the right care in place.

The #AskAboutAsthma campaign encourages children and young people, their families, and those involved in their care, to ensure four simple and effective measures to help them control their asthma:

1. Get an asthma action plan in place

A written asthma action plan drawn up between a clinician and patient means people are four times less likely to have to go to hospital for their asthma.

2. Understand how to use inhalers correctly

Less than three-quarters of children and young people have any form of instruction in how to use their inhaler. Poor inhaler technique means patients don't get the full benefit of their asthma medication.

3. Schedule an asthma review - every year and after every attack

An asthma review by an appropriately trained clinician after every attack helps to work out what went wrong. An annual review ensures effective management of the condition.

4. Consider air quality and its impact on lung health

We want to ensure that every asthma conversation considers the impact of outdoor and indoor air pollution on children and young people's asthma.

Campaign theme

Get involved

We want everyone to get involved in this campaign. Download the 2023 campaign communications toolkit for social media graphics and messaging, posters and suggested copy for newsletters and emails. This toolkit can be used by supporters to share the campaign locally.

You can also download tailored communications toolkits to promote the campaign in specific settings including schools, GP practices and youth organisations. Download as many toolkits as you like from the menu below to help spread the word:

Campaign week

During the campaign week, we will release brand new daily content including podcasts, blogs and videos.

Click here for our planned 2023 campaign week schedule (subject to change) and here for extra #AskAboutAsthma content which will be released by external organisations and partners.

Monday 11 September: children, young people and families
Virtual event: Learn Live broadcast to schools Videos:
Podcast: #AskAboutAsthma: vaping and young people - why so popular and what are the risks?
Dr Seb Gray joined by a panel of young experts: Aishah, Hebe, Maryam and Tiana

Shared by our partners:
What is asthma? Surrey Heartland's children and young people's asthma team
Blog: Laura King, Senior Children & Young People's Asthma Practitioner for North-East London NHS North East London / Young Barts Health Professor John Weinman and Dr Christina Pearce Videos: Virtual events: Using asthma inhalers without an asthma diagnosis Top tips for treating asthma Shared by our partners: Blog: Greener asthma treatment - a golden opportunity or a red flag? - PaediatricFOAM Podcast: Sara Latham, Nina Somerville and Dr Niall Durrant Videos: The safe use of salbutamol: a nursing perspective Stephanie Harper, Southampton University Trust Shared by our partners:
where are we with SABA over-reliance? Dr Seb Gray Podcast: Partner working in Hounslow borough to improve children and young people's asthma care North West London Integrated Care System (NWL ICS)Videos:
Videos:
Wheeze and asthma explained
Dr Mando Watson, General Paediatric Consultant, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (Imperial College Healthcare
A young person, joined by Sukeshi Makhecha, Lead pharmacist, Paediatrics at Royal Brompton and Evelina hospitals Blogs:
Tuesday 12 September: primary care and community care
Housing and Health working together to support children with asthma in Walsall Connie Jennings, Director of Stronger Communities, Walsall Housing Group Viv Marsh, Clinical Lead for Children and Young People's Asthma Transformation, Black Country ICB
Podcast: Helping healthcare professionals to identify and address challenges with medication adherence

#AskAboutAsthma primary care webinar recording and presentations
Dr Ian Sinha and Dr Abigail Whitehouse Blogs:
#AskAboutAsthma pharmacy webinar recording and presentations
Shared by our partners:
Wednesday day 13 September: nursing day
NHS Clean Air Animation - Final Version (No Captions)NHS Clean Air Animation - English Captions
Virtual event: #AskAboutAsthma nursing webinar recording and presentations

Research poster on nurse-led education on e-cigarette use by adolescents and abstract here
M Osinibi, C J Bossley

Thursday 14 September: whole systems day

The dangers of an asthma attack: one young person's experience

Calling All Healthcare Professionals: Spark Action on Air Pollution
Dr Sarah Robertson, UK Health Security Agency

Friday 15 September is air pollution day

Podcast: How can healthcare professionals help in tackling air pollution?

Virtual event: #AskAboutAsthma air pollution webinar recording and presentations

Animations on clean air with translations coming soon
Shared by North East London ICB

One-day virtual conference

This year's one-day virtual conference took place on Thursday 14 September 2023 with sessions including:

inequalities in children and young people's asthma care

the risks of vaping to children and young people with asthma

A full recording will be made available soon.

Stakeholder Briefings

Download a briefing for tailored information on this year's campaign:

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#AskAboutAsthma 2023 - Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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This is the 2023 homepage for the #AskAboutAsthma awareness campaign, led by the NHS England - London children and young people's asthma team

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Asthma Symptom Letter to send home to parents

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Asthma Symptom Letter to send home to parents

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What to do in the event of an asthma attack

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What to do in the event of an asthma attack

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1:2:1 Knowledge - What Is Asthma (Vox Pops)

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Meet our Ambassador

Laura Weightman is a middle-distance runner who competes in the 1500 and 5000 meters.
Her achievements include reaching the 1500 metres final at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics and winning silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Her Mile run best of 4:20.49 in 2018, ranks her in the world all-time top 25.

Laura also suffers from asthma and is proud to be our BeatAsthma Ambassador.

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Working together to change the lives of children and young people with asthma

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Guide for when a child is asking for their inhaler

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Guide for when a child is asking for their inhaler

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1:5:2 Knowledge - Medication / Introduction

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1:5:1 Knowledge - Medications (Vox Pops)

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Video Playlist

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Curriculum
Supports the Health Education curriculum
By the end of secondary school, students should know:

The facts about legal and illegal drugs and their associated risks, including the link between drug use and the associated risks, including the link to serious mental health issues.

The physical and psychological consequences of addiction, including alcohol dependency.

Supports the PSHE curriculum KS3 - Students learn:

H23 - the positive and negative uses of drugs in society, including the safe use of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines; responsible use of antibiotics.

H24 - to evaluate the misconceptions, social norms and cultural values relating to drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

H25 - strategies to manage a range of influences on drug, alcohol and tobacco use, including peers.

H26 - information about alcohol, nicotine and other legal and illegal substances, including the short-term and long-term health risks associated with their use.

H27 - the personal and social risks and consequences of substance use and misuse, including occasional use.

H28 - the law relating to the supply, use and misuse of legal and illegal substances.

H29 - about the concepts of dependence and addiction, including awareness of help to overcome addictions.

Supports the Biology curriculum KS3 - Gas exchange systems

The impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on the human gas exchange system.

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Vaping - KS3 form time activities | PHE School Zone

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Students explore the facts and impacts of vaping in these flexible NHS-approved activities

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Asthma and Lung UK

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Link to Tier Training (Whole school staff training)

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Link to Tier Training (Whole school staff training)

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Please see power point 'Recognition and response to asthma' if you would like to use this as part of a whole school training session.

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This programme is in partnership with...

About the National Bundle of Care for Children and Young People with Asthma programme

NHS England and NHS Improvement's ambition is to reduce avoidable harm to children and young people with asthma and improve their quality of life. This will be achieved by taking a whole system approach to asthma management that includes addressing environmental triggers, a comprehensive education programme, promoting personalised care, effective preventative medicine, and improved accuracy of diagnosis.

NHS England and Improvement have been working with key stakeholders, including young people and their families, to develop a National Bundle of Care for Children and Young People with Asthma to support local systems with the management of asthma care. The programme sets out the blueprint of evidence-based interventions to help children, young people, families, and carers, to control and reduce the risk of asthma attacks and to prevent avoidable harm. The bundle outlines key standards in the care of CYP with asthma throughout every stage of the patient pathway.

A key element to ensure children and young people with asthma receive high standards of asthma care, is relevant training for professionals. One of the outputs of the training, education and competencies national working group has been the development of a capability framework.

The National Capability Framework for the care of children and young people with asthma

This framework has been developed to allow individuals, employers, and integrated care systems to be aware of the skills and knowledge that are required to ensure they can safely care for a child and young person with asthma. The framework is aimed at both health and non-healthcare professionals across all aspects of a child's life, including childcare providers, education providers, uniformed services, sports coaches, social services and health care workers.

The framework was developed by NHS England and NHS Improvement in collaboration with key stakeholders including CYP and their families, national experts and arm's length bodies such as Royal Colleges, professional bodies and Health Education England. Current national guidelines and recommendations were incorporated including the British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (BTS/SIGN) national asthma guidelines, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), the NICE asthma guidelines, the National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) report, National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme (NACAP) and the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) investigation into childhood asthma report and recommendations.

The framework divides different roles into 5 'tiers'. A tier describes the level of care a person may be expected to deliver to a child or young person with asthma. The more involved the care, the higher the level of tier.

The tiers are not profession specific, but rather describe the minimum required knowledge and skills any individual must possess to safely carry out their role in caring for a child or young person with asthma. Individuals should look at their own role and choose the tier most appropriate to the care they deliver.
National Capabilities framework

eLearning

It is assumed that for healthcare professionals undertaking the training they will already have appropriate training and skills relevant in the care of children and young people. These courses are to provide additional training specifically relating to asthma and should sit alongside appropriate frameworks of training, supervision and mentoring as required.

Use the drop down boxes to find an accredited course to help support you achieve the capabilities you need:

Suggested template for developing a portfolio of evidence

This portfolio template can be adapted for local use. The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate that a health care professional is capable to deliver the skills and the Learning Outcomes of each of the 10 capabilities at tiers 4 or 5.

The portfolio should be reviewed through an agreed Integrated Care System led process to certify the individual has achieved the required level of capability to deliver that tier of CYP asthma care. This process may involve review by the local asthma network, or a nominated ICS asthma lead.

Click here to see the template.

Original sponsor: East of England Clinical Networks

How to Access

In order to access the Asthma programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
Register >
To view the Asthma programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
View > NHS healthcare staff in England - ESR
The Asthma programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR  means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.

Not an NHS organisation?

If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.

To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ' OpenAthens ' portal.

Registering large numbers of users

If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Asthma programme, please contact elfh directly.

Organisations wishing to use their own LMS

For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.

More information

Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.

Feedback

If you have feedback on the programme please contact england.cyptransformation@nhs.net

elfh is a NHS England programme in partnership with the NHS and professional bodies

© elearning for healthcare 2024

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Asthma (Children and young people) - elearning for healthcare

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Learning resources to support health professionals to care for children and young people with asthma

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1:4:1 Knowledge - Managing Symptoms (Vox Pops)