Fewer children with asthma are being admitted to hospital following a review by Harrow clinical commissioning group (CCG).

The study, which examined 291 children, aimed to learn from those who had suffered asthma attacks in the hope of preventing them in the future.

It resulted in 30 fewer children per 100,000 – which equates to around 16 per cent – being admitted to hospital between 2015/16 and 2016/17.

Dr Mark Levy, respiratory clinical lead for Harrow CCG, led the review. He said the “encouraging” results represent a clear benefit to asthma sufferers, their families and the health economy.

He said: “This review shows that clinicians can focus learning on patients who have had asthma attacks and use these events to eliminate factors that pose a risk.

“By identifying and actively managing these risks, such as identifying whether patients can use their inhaler, these asthma attacks could eventually become fully preventable.”

In Harrow, 85 per cent of general practices took part in the programme. They learnt how to recognise serious attacks and ran detailed checks on inhaler technique.

The review suggested that doctors should consider keeping one appointment free every day for an ‘acute asthma follow up’, which could be filled by another patient if it is not taken up.

Javina Sehgal, managing director of Harrow CCG, said it was an important study that will help children and young people in the borough.

She said: “Asthma is a serious condition that can cause a number of problems, and in severe cases can be life threatening.

“However, most attacks can be prevented and learning from good practice can help stop these attacks occurring in the future.”