The South Eastern Trust has introduced a new ‘Asthma Box’ initiative to improve the emergency treatment and ongoing care of adults presenting with Asthma.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Trust’s Respiratory Hub and Emergency Department, provides a standardised, all-in-one treatment kit for patients arriving at the Emergency Department with Asthma symptoms. It is designed to ensure every patient receives safe, consistent, guideline-based care from the moment they are assessed, while also supporting better long-term management after discharge.
At the heart of the initiative is a shift towards more effective and safer treatment. Moving away from reliance on Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) inhalers (blue inhalers), the Asthma Box supports the introduction of Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) as the standard approach. This change reflects updated clinical guidance aimed at improving Asthma control and reducing the risk of severe attacks and hospital admissions.
The Asthma Box equips clinical staff with everything needed to assess, treat and make decisions on patient care quickly and effectively. This includes medication, inhaler technique tools, patient education materials and a personalised Asthma Action Plan. It also ensures patients leave hospital with the support they need to manage their condition confidently.
The initiative forms part of the Trust’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for people living with Asthma, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and ensuring timely follow-up care through the Ambulatory Respiratory Hub.
South Eastern Trust, Respiratory Ambulatory Speciality Doctor, Dr Arran Lundy said, “The Adult Asthma Box was introduced in the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department in May 2025.
“A lot of people were using ‘blue’ inhalers, known as what we would call the SABA inhalers, as part of their Asthma management. Overuse of these has been linked to higher mortality rates. The new guidelines focus on better control of Asthma, to reduce the risk of patients needing hospital care. The Asthma Box allows us to provide that improved treatment when patients do attend the Emergency Department.
“The Adult Asthma Box contains a MART therapy inhaler, inhaler technique teaching tools, MART therapy patient information and a personalised Asthma Action Plan.
“When a patient leaves the Emergency Department, a two-week follow up appointment is arranged in our Respiratory Ambulatory Hub to ensure they are managing well and continue to improve.”
Dr Lundy added, “Our Emergency Department colleagues have been a real help in supporting the rollout of this initiative and ensuring the process works as smoothly as possible for both staff and patients.”