6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve services for asthma sufferers? OAQ52484

An updated respiratory health delivery plan for Wales was published in January. It sets out the approach to tackling respiratory disease over the next 12 months. Investment in respiratory care in Wales has increased from £338 million in 2009-10 to £432 million in 2016-17.

Thank you very much for the reply, First Minister. The provision of a basic level of asthma care, as set out in the clinical guidelines, contributes to keeping sufferers out of hospital and, ultimately, to saving lives. According to Asthma UK, Wales is the worst place in the United Kingdom to be an asthma sufferer, with just over a quarter of people receiving every element of basic care, compared to over a third in England, and nearly half in Northern Ireland. What action will your Government take to improve services for asthma sufferers so that more people in Wales receive every element of basic care?

The national respiratory implementation group does obviously recognise the significance of asthma as an illness. It has put in place a national work stream and appointed a lead clinician for Wales to co-ordinate health board activity. It's hugely important that patients receive a comprehensive asthma review; that is a priority for us. We are also looking to develop all-Wales prescribing guidelines, paediatric asthma guidance and the establishment of a difficult asthma group for the management of more complex cases. There's also a broader focus on the national review into asthma deaths and measurement of standards through the national asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases audit programme.