Asthma sufferers may have missed out on care
Thousands of people at high risk of an asthma attack may have missed out on essential care due to the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has estimated.
Asthma UK says many people at highest risk of potentially fatal attacks have not had their annual review since the start of the pandemic.
The charity said it was "deeply concerned" that an estimated 1.3 million people in the UK with asthma had missed out on a face-to-face annual asthma review and that 24% of people with "uncontrolled symptoms" have not had a review in the last year, according to a poll of 12,000 people.
The charity's new report, released to mark World Asthma Day, also suggests that 3.5 million people with have not received all elements of basic asthma care such as an annual review, an inhaler technique check and having a written asthma action plan.
It has called on GPs to prioritise reviews of those with uncontrolled symptoms.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: "It is deeply concerning that so many people including some of the most at risk of an asthma attack are not receiving any basic care which could keep them well and out of hospital.
"Everyone working in the NHS is trying their hardest in these unprecedented circumstances but it is still vital that everyone with asthma gets the care and support they need."
An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS spends around £1bn a year treating and caring for people with asthma and helping them get back to good health."