Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise holds first National Asthma Camp in Ireland
Last weekend, 19th-20th July, the Paediatric Respiratory and Allergy team at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise held the first ever National Asthma Camp in Ireland for children aged 5 - 11 years and their families. The aim of the Asthma Camp is to improve the lives of children living with asthma and equip them and their families with tools that they need to manage their chronic condition into adulthood. The camp also encouraged children with asthma to remain active and focused on the importance of staying heathy for asthma control.
The Asthma Camp was held in the Killeshin Hotel Portlaoise with a packed agenda of fun and engaging activities to provide education and lifelong tools for children with asthma. Activities throughout the weekend included:
- Fun active class with GAA star Jack McCaffrey
- Arts and Crafts activities to demonstrate nose and lung anatomy and physiology
- Hide and seek your triggers to help learn more about allergic rhinitis and asthma
- Traffic light game for recognising deteriorating asthma and asthma action plans
- Breathing exercises with physiotherapist Veronica Taylor to equip children on the sporting field or playground if they have asthma symptoms
- Minding your asthma at school with primary school teacher Michelle Grimes
- Dealing with child anxiety around asthma for both parents/guardians with the Asthma Society of Ireland and a session for children with play therapist Emma on dealing with any stress or worries around their asthma
- Asthma swim games with Club Vitae swim instructors at the Killeshin Hotel
Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise commented: “Asthma camps provide a fun and educational environment for children to learn about asthma management and self-care. In Ireland, asthma is a common chronic disease of childhood, with around one in five children experiencing the condition. This camp will provide a fun environment for children to learn about their condition and how to manage their symptoms now, and into adulthood, ultimately improving their quality of life overall and reducing asthma related illnesses.”
Lisa Egan, RANP in Paediatric Respiratory in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise said, “The Paediatric Respiratory and Allergy Team at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise are passionate about improving the lives of children with asthma. We feel that this Asthma Camp will be pivotal in improving asthma outcomes for the children that attended. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about their asthma in a fun and age-appropriate way; the key theme this weekend is that once you have the tools to manage your asthma, then you can do and be anything!”
Ally Russell, CNS in Paediatric Allergy & Respiratory at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise said “Evidence indicates that children are not educated in an age-appropriate manner about asthma management, the aim of this Asthma Camp is to change that. Teaching children through play on correct Inhaler technique, managing asthma triggers and recognising deteriorating asthma via their asthma action plan equips the child for life and supports independence into adulthood. This asthma camp is a blueprint for the future for all chronic conditions in childhood and we are extremely proud of the weekend and the positive outcomes that will come from the Asthma Camp.”
Eimear O’Sullivan, Paediatric Staff Nurse at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise commented “The power of play and learning through play was truly evident this weekend, the children and their families were given the opportunity to play, express their concerns and learn tools to combat any future stressors that may arise. This Asthma Camp was such a positive experience, and we are sure to see the positive impact on primary care centres and ED departments as the children and their families are equipped with the tools to maintain asthma control and recognise deteriorating asthma.”
Megan O' Brien Doyle who attended the Asthma Camp with her child Lily Egan commented “This camp was a fantastic experience for both my child and me. It was engaging, fun, and filled with valuable, age- appropriate information presented in a way that really connected with the children. As a parent, I walked away more informed and reassured. The team created such a welcoming, thoughtful environment; we’re so glad we attended!”
Asthma can affect your child's breathing. Learn the symptoms, how to treat it, and what do if they have an asthma attack at HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/asthma/asthma-babies-children/
Photo captions:
1) Back row, L-R: Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing, MRHP; Emma Dempsey, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital; Dolores Fall, Operations Manager, MRHP; Maura Rice, ADON Paediatric Dept and ED, MRHP; Ger Egan, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital. Front row, L-R: Ally Russell, CNS in Paediatric Respiratory & Allergy, MRHP; Lisa Egan, RANP in Paediatric Respiratory & Allergy, MRHP; Susy Snell, CNM2 Paediatric Department, MRHP; Eimear O' Sullivan, Staff Nurse Paediatric ED, MRHP; and Emma Louise Hogan, Play Therapist, Cara Play Therapy.
2) L-R: Lisa Egan, RANP in Paediatric Respiratory & Allergy; Maura Rice, ADON Paediatric Dept and ED; Ally Russell, CNS in Paediatric Respiratory & Allergy; Eimear O' Sullivan, Staff Nurse Paediatric ED; Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing; and Dolores Fall, Operations Manager, all from Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
