Overview
Aim
The service aims to improve the knowledge, confidence and self-management skills of children, young people and their families.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world. The reasons behind this are unclear. Over 660,000 Victorians have asthma, with 77 deaths in the state in 2003. Asthma is one of the most common reasons children are admitted to hospital – yet almost every admission is preventable.
Research shows that people who see an asthma educator are less likely to have days off school/work due to asthma, have improved lung function and sleep better through the night without coughing or wheezing. Asthma Education also reduces the likelihood of needed to go to the Emergency Department for an acute attack.
Service Description
Paediatric asthma education is provided by Central Bayside Community Health Services in partnership with Southern Health. The educators work with GP’s, maternal and child health nurses, pharmacists, schools and local hospitals. The service is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services.
The asthma educator can help by:
- Helping you understand asthma and giving general information
- Looking at ways to try and prevent attacks occurring
- Information on medicines, side effects, how to take puffers and using spacers
- Helping you use an action plan (see Action Plan below)
- How to recognise when asthma is getting bad, when to see a doctor, when to go to the Emergency Department and advice on asthma first aid.
Anyone who lives in the City of Kingston and Bayside can attend the service. Fees are kept as low as possible and asthma education is free to holders of Health Care Cards. Free and subsidised courses are also available if you smoke and want to quit.
Referrals are accepted from individuals, families, GPs, hospitals and other healthcare providers. Send referrals to the Parkdale site: Fax 8587 0210, Phone 8587 0200 or online through www.connectingcare.com.
Asthma Lastest News
| Advancing Asthma, Sydney (Created: Aug 27, 2008 - Updated: Aug 27, 2008) |
| Our Paediatric Asthma educator Karen Yates is delivering a poster presentation at the Advancing Asthma, Where conference in Sydney, October, 2008. This poster aims to give the reader a snapshot of the Better Living, Better Health Paediatric Asthma Education Service within Central Bayside Community Health, run in conjunction with Southern Health. More |
Publications for Asthma
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Paediatric Asthma Service | 109 KB | English | 15/01/2009 |
Action Plans
Everyone with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan. An action plan helps keep you or your child’s asthma in control of their condition.
To print off an Asthma Action Plan to take to your G.P. - Click Here
Asthma Victoria free helpline: 1800 645 130
