Rachel Murray, who teaches at the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal and has suffered from asthma since she was a teenager, expressed concern over the lack of understanding among health staff regarding severe asthma. She pointed out that a wheeze may not always be present, leading to critical oversight. Being immunocompromised intensifies the risks, especially when patients are left on trolleys for hours in emergency departments, exposing them to potential infections.
The Asthma Society of Ireland's report, 'Towards Optimal Severe Asthma Care', emphasizes that patients often feel that GPs do not take their conditions seriously, nor do they possess sufficient knowledge for early diagnosis. It highlighted issues such as the lengthy wait times for specialist referrals and the distress that delayed diagnoses can cause for patients, with an average delay of six years reported before getting a proper diagnosis.
Murray elaborated on her meticulous regimen, describing it as requiring 'military precision'. She employs three inhalers, a nebuliser, and a machine for airway clearance, along with four or five medications daily. The nature of severe asthma means she can face multiple hospitalizations each year, emphasizing the need for proper planning and management of the condition to mitigate health risks.
In the report, Murray supports calls for easier eligibility rules around biological medicines, crucial for managing severe asthma. These medications not only help in lessening asthma attacks but can also significantly improve symptoms, contributing to a better quality of life for patients and reducing the healthcare burden.
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