Asthma emergency admissions surge as children return to school

Health experts are warning of a significant surge in emergency hospital admissions for childhood asthma as students return to school. Data indicates that emergency admissions for children aged five to 16 can quadruple in September compared to August levels.

In England, analysis shows that children from the most deprived areas are at a disproportionately higher risk, accounting for 36% of emergency admissions, which is three times the rate of children from the least deprived areas. Additionally, children from ethnic minority backgrounds represent nearly half of emergency admissions, despite making up 27% of the relevant age population.

In Wales, figures from 2023 to 2025 show an average increase from 24 admissions in August to 96 in September. Medical officials and the charity Asthma + Lung UK advise parents and teachers to remain vigilant for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathlessness. Recommendations include maintaining daily preventer inhaler routines, ensuring reliever inhalers are accessible at school, and having up-to-date asthma action plans in place.