Asthma Society of Ireland Opening Statement
Asthma Society of Ireland Opening Statement
Asthma Society of Ireland Opening Statement
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ASI’s services and resources for asthma sufferers and healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals fill a clear needwithin Irish society.ASI has worked with ICGP to develop <strong>Asthma</strong> Control in General Practice Guidelines which is thestandard by which all asthma patients must be treated in primary care.As part <strong>of</strong> the National <strong>Asthma</strong> Programme, ASI designed and provides a guideline based, onlineeducation programme for all healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals working with asthma patients in <strong>Ireland</strong>.There are currently 900 registered users.ASI also supports healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals by providing train the trainer programmes andfunding research bursaries.ASI designs, produces and delivers its services, literature, training and research extremely costeffectively and provides them entirely free <strong>of</strong> charge. ASI asthma information literature is usedby the HSE as the primary source <strong>of</strong> asthma information for patients and on their healthpromotion website. This level <strong>of</strong> free service provision is <strong>of</strong> obvious benefit to the patient butalso <strong>of</strong>fers a massive saving to the HSE and Department <strong>of</strong> Health.ASI receives no statutory funding. Due to the economic decline in recent years and risingawareness about asthma, demand for ASI’s services is increasing at a steady pace.ASI is a small charity meeting an immense public health need for the largest chronic diseasepatient group in the country.7