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Need to Cancel / Change an Appointment visit: Cancel or change your appointment? :: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (dgt.nhs.uk)


Appointment text reminder service: Appointment text reminder service :: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (dgt.nhs.uk) somewhere on here so people are directed to this page? Any suggestions of how this is possible are very welcome. 

 

 

Emergency recovery plan

It can be really frightening if you've had an asthma attack. Please ensure you ask the healthcare professionals looking after you all the questions you need to feel more confident in controlling your asthma / wheeze and when to seek help again. 

One in six people who receive emergency care for an asthma attack need emergency care again within 2 weeks!

It's really important you make an urgent appointment with your GP within 48 hours after leaving hospital or even if you didn't need to go to hospital. 

Not everyone needs to go to hospital, but you have had an asthma attack if: you needed to take 10 puffs of Salbutamol (blue reliever inhaler), paramedics treated you, or you needed to use rescue steroid (prednisolone) tablets (if you have been prescribed them).


5 steps to follow to optimise your asthma recovery and control

  1. Keep taking your medicines as prescribed 
    Don't miss any doses, ensure you have good inhaler technique (see Inhalers section) and use a spacer.  Make sure you have enough inhalers.  If you had an Asthma attack, follow a Salbutamol (reliever) Weaning Regime (as below) to wean your reliever inhaler safely.

  2. Follow your Asthma Plan
    Ensuring you follow your asthma plan strictly is key to avoiding hospital admissions, long hospital stays, and being readmitted. It is important for your lungs and health to have well controlled asthma.

  3. Book an urgent asthma review with your GP
    Make a same day appointment to see your GP if you didn't go to hospital. If you did go to hospital, book an appointment with your GP within 48 hours of going home.  Please do not miss your appointment with your GP or our Paediatric Asthma Service even if you feel well.

  4. Know when your asthma is getting worse
    Learn the signs and symptoms that tell you your or your child's asthma is getting worse.  Contact your GP early to avoid further deterioration and follow your Action Plan.  If you can't get an appointment with your GP, call 111 and speak with the NHS team for advice.

  5. Take some time to recover and recuperate 
    After an asthma attack, you and your child can feel quite tired.  Please ensure you take some rest to enable full recovery.  If you are very upset or worried, please make an appointment with your GP.  You are not alone!

Salbutamol Reliever and Going Home Plan

rajanbluespacer hold.jpgFollow a Salbutamol (blue reliever inhaler) reliever and going home plan if you have been advised to after an attack or if your asthma or wheeze is getting worse. 

The regime helps you to safely recover from your exacerbation, to take your reliever inhaler when you need to, and to be responsive to your symptoms

You should use your Spacer to improve medicine delivery to your lungs have a good technique for them to be most effective - click here for inhaler technique.

 

Take your RELIEVER INHALER through your spacer as needed if you or your child have any signs that your asthma or wheeze is getting worse, OR after an attack

 

Take 2 puffs of your Salbutamol (blue) inhaler, one at a time and wait 2 minutes.  Repeat if necessary up to 6 puffs.

 

If you need the Reliever inhaler more than every 4 hours, your wheeze is not well controlled.  You need to take urgent action now – see EMERGENCY PLAN


Asthma attack?

Call 999 if any difficulty in breathing

If your asthma is worsening and you think you are having an asthma attack, please click on the link below.  If your asthma settles without needing to go to hospital, make sure you call your GP for an urgent same-day appointment and follow the advice above


Page last edited: 28 October 2022