Clinicians across Ireland can now refer asthma patients directly to a free, nurse-led helpline through Healthlink, the HSE’s electronic messaging system. While the Asthma Society of Ireland reports significant drops in emergency department visits and hospital admissions among service users, a recent survey shows that more than one-in-three children with the condition still faced hospitalisation over the past year.
Direct Healthlink Referrals for Nurse-Led Asthma Support
Healthcare professionals can now submit electronic referrals directly to the Asthma Adviceline through Healthlink, according to imt.ie. The service provides personalised education, inhaler technique demonstrations, and self-management support between scheduled GP and practice nurse appointments. Patients referred to the initiative receive call-backs from experienced asthma nurse specialists. Depending on individual clinical requirements, users may also access specialist physiotherapy or dietetic support, along with guidance on trigger management and asthma action plans. The service operates from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, via the freephone number 1800 44 54 64.
Asthma Adviceline Reduces Emergency Visits and Steroid Use
A recent survey of Asthma Adviceline users indicates substantial downstream savings for both patients and the wider health service. Two-thirds of respondents stated they avoided attending an emergency department because of the phone line, while 68 per cent reported fewer hospital admissions overall. Also, 73 per cent of service users needed fewer GP or out-of-hours visits. Data also shows that the proportion of patients requiring no oral steroid courses increased from 11 per cent to 35 per cent following engagement with the service. A retrospective review of 288 patients who completed the Asthma Control Test through the helpline found that 90 per cent improved their asthma control scores.
Despite clinical improvements among helpline users, broader public health data reveals persistent challenges in paediatric asthma care. An Asthma Society of Ireland survey released on May 5 found that over one-in-three children with asthma had been hospitalised in the past year, with 14 per cent admitted at least twice. Mary McDonald, patient services manager at the Asthma Society of Ireland, notes that asthma requires continuous support rather than isolated care during scheduled appointments. The organisation also operates a HSE-funded WhatsApp messaging service at 086 059 0132, allowing patients, families, and carers to communicate directly with respiratory specialist nurses about disease management for both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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