Asthma (Hansard, 27 November 2002)

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children suffered from asthma in each year since 1997. [82700]

§ Jacqui Smith
The information requested is not collected centrally. However information on the number of hospital episodes by age and sex in National Health Service hospitals where the primary diagnosis is asthma from 1996–97 to 2000–01 is shown in the tables.
The International Classification of Disease 10 codes J45–J46 has been used.
345W

Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: completed episode primary diagnosis 493(ICD9 code)
Diagnosis: Asthma 345–346 (ICD10)

Age Male Female Not known Persons

England 1996–1997

0–4 17,660 8,928 215 26,803

5–14 7,449 4,893 129 12,471

15–44 6,563 13,549 205 20,317

Unknown 5 13 — 18

England 1997–1998

0–4 14,114 6,888 59 21,061

5–4 7,733 5,085 67 12,885

15–44 7,141 14,017 113 21,271

Unknown 8 4 1 13

England 1998–1999

0–4 13,119 6,306 6 19,431

5–14 7,190 4,702 4 11,896

15–44 6,652 13,590 3 20,245

Unknown 2 7 1 10

England 1999–2000

0–4 11,589 5,896 8 17,493

5–14 7,091 4,606 6 11,703

15–44 6,351 12,424 21 18,796

Unknown 7 13 — 20

England 2000–01

0–4 9,676 4,790 114 14,580

5–14 6,916 4,184 47 11,147

15–44 6,219 11,763 11 17,993

Unknown 22 33 2 57

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of controlled medication for children with asthma; and what support is available to reduce the stress caused by the illness. [82695]

§ Jacqui Smith
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on asthma inhalers for children. In September 2000 it issued guidance on the use of inhalers for children under five. NICE also published guidance on inhaler devices for older children, age range five to 15, on 11 April 2002.
Patients with asthma are able to access the full range of National Health Service support services in both primary and secondary care settings.
An analysis of hospital episode statistics shows that the number of hospital admissions for asthma has been falling over the last five years.

Year 1996 to 1997 1997 to 1998 1998 to 1999 1999 to 2000 2000 to 2001

Admissions 78,036 74,000 69,824 66,054 60,376

Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: completed episode primary diagnosis 493(ICD9 code) Diagnosis: Asthma 345–346 (ICD10)
Age	Male	Female	Not known	Persons
England 1996–1997
0–4	17,660	8,928	215	26,803
5–14	7,449	4,893	129	12,471
15–44	6,563	13,549	205	20,317
Unknown	5	13	—	18
England 1997–1998
0–4	14,114	6,888	59	21,061
5–4	7,733	5,085	67	12,885
15–44	7,141	14,017	113	21,271
Unknown	8	4	1	13
England 1998–1999
0–4	13,119	6,306	6	19,431
5–14	7,190	4,702	4	11,896
15–44	6,652	13,590	3	20,245
Unknown	2	7	1	10
England 1999–2000
0–4	11,589	5,896	8	17,493
5–14	7,091	4,606	6	11,703
15–44	6,351	12,424	21	18,796
Unknown	7	13	—	20
England 2000–01
0–4	9,676	4,790	114	14,580
5–14	6,916	4,184	47	11,147
15–44	6,219	11,763	11	17,993
Unknown	22	33	2	57

Year	1996 to 1997	1997 to 1998	1998 to 1999	1999 to 2000	2000 to 2001
Admissions	78,036	74,000	69,824	66,054	60,376