First steps to implement the new BTS/NICE/SIGN asthma guideline

This is a high-level summary of what the new BTS/NICE/SIGN Asthma: diagnosis monitoring and chronic asthma management guideline means for you as a primary healthcare professional and what steps you need to take to implement it effectively. 

This document is a distillation of the new guidance to provide distinct advice on the changes on the diagnosis and management to asthma. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide of the new guideline, neither does it cover all non-pharmacological treatments or on-going monitoring. We recommend you use the links to resources provided throughout to obtain more detailed information and guidance.

It focuses on the following aspects of the patient journey for both adults and children and young people:

• Diagnosis of asthma: In newly diagnosed patients
• Treatment of asthma: In newly diagnosed patients
• Management and treatment of asthma: In adults and CYP (5+) with an existing diagnosis
• Management and treatment of asthma: In children under 5
• Monitoring and self-management: In all patients