MP Stephen McPartland visited the local pharmacy in The Poplars, Stevenage to try out first-hand the asthma check-up service being offered by Lloydspharmacy to help sufferers manage their condition better. Backed by the charity Asthma UK, the hope is that by offering the asthma control test, inhaler technique check and providing expert advice, most people should see a noticeable difference within four weeks.
Speaking about the visit, Stephen said, "It was a very interesting opportunity to discuss the various initiatives currently being run. Pharmacists have the potential to play a very prominent role in promoting the health of the nation and I was particularly interested to talk to staff about how this translates into day-to-day activity, such as the asthma check.”
Stephen added, “Initiatives such as this mean that people can monitor their asthma more closely and hopefully avoid hospital admissions and take part in the great British summer of activities we have around the Olympics.”
Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Asthma.