Asthma

EDM number 14 in 2003-04, proposed by Tim Yeo on 26/11/2003.

That this House congratulates and praises the National Asthma Campaign for raising awareness of asthma, working to move this condition up the political and social agenda, educating the public about asthma and for raising funds to help find a cure for the condition; notes that asthma affects over five million people in the United Kingdom of all ages and social backgrounds; recognises that, while improvements have been made in recent years in the management of asthma, borne out by declining hospitalisation and death rates at a time of increased prevalence, there are still areas of weakness which must be addressed by those who commission healthcare services; notes with concern that 18 million working days are lost every year as a result of asthma, which consequently costs the NHS ú850 million per annum; and commends the National Asthma Campaign for drawing up its Ten Point Charter for Change, a programme outlining what people with asthma should be able to expect from the National Health Service, which demonstrates clearly how the Government could both make a positive difference to the lives of people with asthma and reduce the overall costs of dealing with the condition to the National Health Service and the economy.

This motion has been signed by a total of 76 MPs.