The Paediatric Community Asthma Nurse supports children and young people (CYP) aged 5-18 years with an asthma diagnosis.

It is a nurse-led service supported by consultants from Royal Free London (RFL) and North Middlesex Hospital (NMUH).

Patients are seen in a primary care setting, either face-to-face in clinic or via home visits. Follow up through phone reviews and video consultations will also be made.

The service aims to:

• Improve the confidence and self-care skills of CYP as well as their parents/carers to manage their asthma effectively. 
• Improve emotional and social wellbeing through the reduction of stress during periods of illness. 
• Improve the coordination of local services to help patient manage their asthma. 
• Reduce the amount of time patients spend in acute/hospital settings.

The service will also pick up referrals from secondary and tertiary care services, such as those with emergency attendances/admission for asthma, to support discharge and prevent readmission. 

See the referral pathway in downloads.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• be aged 5-18 years
• must have a diagnosis of asthma.
• have an Enfield GP
• frequently collecting salbutamol prescriptions
• more than one course of prednisolone in a year
• those with frequent exacerbations whom you feel you are not able to improve
• asthma effecting compliance or parental/social factors maybe impacting control

Exclusions

• children under 5 years without a formal diagnosis of asthma
• Viral Induced Wheeze (VIW) is not included in service remit
• discharge from an acute episode: 48-hour review must be carried out by GP
• acute asthma exacerbations
• does not have an Enfield GP
• diagnostic uncertainty

How to Refer

Referrals can be made by GPs or practice nurses