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A campaign to help children with asthma has attracted support from Leeds Rhinos.

The project is being led by the NHS in Leeds to remind parents to make sure their children continue to use their asthma medication properly over the summer holidays

Margaret Graham, Children's Asthma Nurse Specialist Team Leader at Leeds Teaching Hospitals explains: “Children with asthma are more likely to become poorly when they return to school in September if they haven’t used their medication properly over the summer holidays. They’re also three times more likely to be admitted to hospital with asthma related illness in September than at any other time.

“It is important that children use their preventative medication properly during the school holidays. This will help to keep them well and to cope with common infections when they return to school or nursery in September.”

Kevin Sinfield, captain of Leeds Rhinos said: “As an asthmatic, I am very happy to be supporting this campaign. It’s easy to forget to take preventative inhalers when you’re out of your usual routine, but we want to remind people that it’s really important that they continue to use them. We’re also keen to encourage children to exercise and show that people with asthma can succeed in sport.”

A team of nurses will be at Leeds Rhinos’ match against Castleford Tigers at Headingley Carnegie Stadium this Friday to promote the campaign and help people improve their inhaler technique.

Information for families who have children with asthma will also be included in goodie bags given out at the popular Leeds Rhinos summer camps.

NHS Leeds is also running the campaign through local pharmacies.

Parents can get their child’s inhaler technique checked by their pharmacist, GP, or practice nurse. Visit www.asthma.org.uk for more information.


Top tips for managing your child’s asthma

• Make sure that they keep using their preventative inhalers as instructed by their doctor or asthma nurse, including during the school holidays, even if their symptoms appear under control. They are usually brown, orange, red or purple, and need to be taken every day.

• Have a spare reliever (blue) inhaler and spacer, if used, to leave at school or nursery. Speak to your child’s school about their asthma.

• Take their inhaler home from school or nursery at the end of each term, check the expiry date and make sure there is enough left.

• Make sure your child has enough medicine in their inhaler to last throughout any holiday breaks.

• Take your child to their GP surgery if their asthma is stopping them doing exercise or keeping them awake at night.

• Ensure that your child has an annual asthma review with their GP or practice nurse.

• Make sure children with asthma have the flu jab and PPV (pneumonia jab) when offered. This will protect them against serious illness. If you are unsure which injections your child should have, please speak to your GP or practice nurse.

If you have any questions about asthma, you can talk to your pharmacist, GP, asthma nurse or paediatrician (specialist children’s doctor) ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or visit Asthma UK’s website at www.asthma.org.uk.