An asthma review is a routine check-up with the Practice healthcare team to see how your asthma is. Most people attend an asthma review at least once a year. If you have difficult or severe asthma you may need to attend an asthma review more than once a year.
Why should I attend an asthma review?
A regular asthma review could help you keep free of symptoms and cut down the risk of an asthma attack. This is a great way to talk to a Health Practitioner about:
- Symptoms affecting your daily lifestyle
- Asthma attacks – whether you have had one, or you’re scared of having one.
- Medicines – how they help your asthma and the side effects.
- Stopping smoking advice and other ways to help you avoid asthma triggers.
However, even if you feel your asthma is well controlled always make sure you attend your asthma review. You can check you are on the lowest dose of asthma medicine to keep you free of symptoms.It is a chance to ensure your asthma stays under control, so you can carry on enjoying day to day activities without needing time off work/school.
Where do we provide an asthma review?
All asthma reviews are based in the Practice.
Who will I see when I attend an asthma review?
Our Health Practitioner team includes four Practice Nurses, four Healthcare Assistants and two GP Assistants. If you only wish to be seen by a female Health Practitioner, we advise you state your preference at time of appointment booking.
What does an asthma review involve?
At an asthma review, your Health Practitioner can check your lungs with a peak flow or spirometry test. You can talk about:
- your symptoms, and if they’re stopping you from doing everyday things or keeping you awake at night.
- ways to manage your asthma better so you can lower your risk of an asthma attack
- your medicines and inhalers, and how often you use them
- your inhaler technique and how to use a spacer if you use a metered dose inhaler (MDI)
- stopping smoking, exercise, or keeping to a healthy weight which can all help your asthma
- your asthma action plan and if it needs to be updated.