New national guidelines for improving asthma management launched in WA

14/5/98

One in four children under five years of age suffers from asthma in Western Australia.

New national guidelines, which aim to protect these young children by improving asthma management in child care services, were launched in WA today by Health Minister Kevin Prince.

Mr Prince said the Guidelines for Asthma Management in Child care Service, Kindergartens and Preschools were prompted by startling results from a recent survey of child care services and carers undertaken by Asthma Australia.

"Thirty four per cent of carers surveyed said they would not know what to do in the event of a child in their care having an asthma attack, and 33 per cent admitted not being confident in administering medication if such a situation occurred," he said.

"The trend was equally as worrying in regards to child care centres, as only 28 per cent of centres had a written policy about asthma management and - even more startling - only 25 per cent had asthma medication in the first aid kit.

"These statistics are shocking, especially considering that asthma affects so many of our young children.

Mr Prince said with the appropriate treatment and management, asthma can be controlled and children with asthma can lead a healthy, happy life.

"These guidelines outline the appropriate management of the disease for the child's carer, so that whether a child is at school, home or a child care centre, parents can be assured their children are in safe hands if an emergency should occur," he said.

The guidelines assist child care services by:

·      providing all carers with access to information on managing an asthma emergency;

·      providing child care services with information to assist them to develop written policies and procedures relating to the management of asthma; and -

·      encouraging parents to provide clear, written instructions regarding the management of their child's asthma.

Child care services can obtain the guidelines by calling the Asthma Foundation of WA on 9382-1666 or 1800-645-130.

Media contact: Mark Thompson on pager 9482 4648