Asthma Society of Ireland Releases

The Asthma Society of Ireland Continues Free Regional “Asthma Health Day” Tour in Portlaoise, November 19th

Asthma Screening and Advice Days offer asthma sufferers a chance to speak directly with an Asthma Nurse Specialist

Wednesday, November 9th: The Asthma Society of Ireland continues its free regional “Asthma Health Day” tour of the country in Portlaoise on November 19th in the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel from 1pm-4pm.  This event will give asthma sufferers in the region the opportunity to speak directly with an asthma nurse on all aspects of their asthma management and symptoms. There is no admission fee and all services and information are provided completely free of charge.

The Asthma Health Day Tour of 2011 has already visited Athlone, Arklow, Letterkenny, Cork and Navan in 2011. The “Asthma Health Day” in Portlaoise on November 19^th is the ultimate regional health screening day held by the Asthma Society of Ireland in 2011. The 2011 “Asthma Health Day” has been a huge success and proved a vital resource regionally for asthma sufferers around the country. A second, 2012, “Asthma Health Day” tour is planned to begin early in the New Year, with dates and locations to follow soon.  As part of the tour asthma nurses are on hand at each “Asthma Health Day” to speak one to one with patients confidentially about asthma management, allergies and inhaler technique, as well as offering peak flow monitoring and spirometry/lung function testing.

The Portlaoise “Asthma Health Day”  takes place on Saturday, November 19th, in thePortlaoise Heritage Hotel from 1pm – 4pm.

The “Asthma Health Day” tour is a continuum of the successful regional asthma health advice and information days held by the Asthma Society in 2010, which will continue into 2012, with new tour dates and locations to be announced towards the end of this year.

Dr Jean Holohan, CEO, of the Asthma Society said “Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma worldwide, 470,000 people in Ireland suffer with the condition₁. Nearly 60% of asthma sufferers in Ireland do not have their asthma under control. As part of a strategic plan to tackle this problem, which includes our Asthma Helpline and the Asthma Demonstration Project, we are providing an “Asthma Health Day” regional tour to provide the public with the most up to date information on asthma and asthma care. This is an excellent opportunity for people with asthma or parents of children with asthma to speak directly with an asthma nurse, learn more about their own asthma management and avail of a variety of services free of charge.”

For further information on “Asthma Health Day” venues visit www.asthmasociety.ie or call 1850 44 54 65.

For further information please contact:

Siobhán Mc Carthy, The Asthma Society of Ireland, on 01 8178886 or 087 2362094 or email siobhan@asthmasociety.ie

Niamh Kelly, The Asthma Society of Ireland, on 01 8178886 or 087 6549028 or emailanne.kearney@asthmasociety.ie