An interactive new website has been launched today, World Asthma Day (2 May), to raise awareness of the importance
of accurate inhaler technique with healthcare professionals.
The free-to-access site promotes the UK Inhaler Group’s (UKIG) Inhaler Standards and Competency Document, which
was first published in January 2017. It can be viewed here: https://ukiginhalerstandards.educationforhealth.org
UKIG developed these standards in response to its concerns that people are still unable to use their inhalers correctly
and many healthcare professionals are also unable to assist people effectively to optimise their technique. The
standards set out how healthcare professionals can work with patients to maximise the benefit of their inhaled
medication.
Education for Health developed the site in partnership with UKIG, a coalition of not-for-profit organisations and
professional societies with a common interest in promoting the correct use of inhaled therapies.
UKIG member Jane Scullion, Respiratory Nurse Consultant University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and lead
author of the standards document, said: “We are excited to launch this new site on World Asthma Day.
“It is an excellent resource that will help to spread the word about UKIG’s inhaler standards and, in turn, improve
outcomes for many people with respiratory disease.
“Using an inhaler is the most common and effective way to take respiratory medications and remains the
cornerstone for treating airways diseases such as asthma and COPD.
“Correct inhaler use is fundamental to improving outcomes in asthma and COPD. Healthcare professionals need to
know it, show it, teach it and review.”
Education for Health’s Chief Executive Monica Fletcher OBE, is Chair of UKIG.
She said: “Education for Health takes great pride in delivering education and training in an innovative way that
enables healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge and understanding at a time and place to suit them.
“This new interactive site is a great example of this and will enable many professionals to support patients to
optimise their inhaler technique.”