Asthma clinic empowers people with a learning disability

A nurse-led chest clinic is helping respiratory patients learn to manage their conditions

A chest clinic set up to help patients with learning disabilities has not only transformed their hospital experience but has also supported them to manage their asthma and saved money.

The asthma clinic at Sunderland Royal Hospital, run by respiratory nurse specialist Sharon Stothard, has proved so successful that it has been rolled out to support patients with learning disabilities who have any respiratory disease.

After identifying 28 asthma patients with a learning disability who needed support, she embarked on a six-month project to help them improve their asthma management.

It was a success. Evaluation showed a 25% reduction in this group of patients accessing the emergency department, ambulance