Managing asthma in children and young people: tips from a specialist asthma nurse

Asthma is a major health concern for children and young people in the UK, with high rates of avoidable mortality and hospital admissions compared to other European countries. This article, written by a specialist asthma nurse, provides advice for primary care nurses on the care of children and young people with asthma. Asthma reviews are performed regularly in general practice, often by general practice nurses. High-quality reviews and follow-up care can significantly improve asthma outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and prevent avoidable deaths. The author has developed an acronym, SEARCH AIR, to guide asthma reviews, which is described here.