Asthma and work

[NoAngel1]

Hi, I'm getting quite concerned about work and wondered whether anyone can help.
I have mild/moderate asthma which is controlled with a combination steroid/long acting bronchodialator plus salbutamol. I've never been admitted to hospital overnight and I haven't had recent oral steroids (but have had plenty in the past).

I work in outpatients (I'm not a nurse) in the NHS and we are being redeployed to the covid ICU in a HCA type role which is a million miles from my regular job! I'm told that because my asthma is well controlled I'll be fine... but I'm very concerned! Any advice please?x

Go to asthma UK, there's a list of inhalers/medication that if taken, you should be shielding for 12 weeks. X

I work in a similar setting in the private setting - I’ve been asked to stay away for 12 weeks due to increased risk from asthma.

I would expect that you would be in work, possibly in the hospital, but that you shouldn't be treating Covid-19 patients?

Not sure I can find any evidence for that though. Will have a look.

www.england.nhs.uk › ...PDF
Web results
Supporting our vulnerable staff - NHS England

This suggests staff could be redeployed into lower risk areas so I think you should be able to at minimum ask not to be redeployed into a higher risk area.

Eugh that link didn't work. Google NHS staff asthma coronavirus and you'll find a PDF on the NHS England website.

Thanks for that link. All of the advice I've seen so far centres around severe or uncontrolled asthma. Feels unfair for those with asthma but for whom medication controls most symptoms the majority of the time. If I get a bad cold then my asthma normally flares up.

The current guidance states that there is no increased risk if you have not had an exacerbation in the past year, have not had 4+ prescriptions of oral steroids in the previous 6 months, not been admitted to hospital due to asthma in the past year, do not have multiple co-morbidities. Your risk sounds fairly low for someone in a non clinical environment (always check with your gp though if you are not sure) but I would seek advice from your GP as to whether you should be working directly with covid19 patients.

Nonameslob do you have a link for that information please? Would be very helpful as I've been trying to did that sort of info online somewhere.

Also to a PP I'm struggling to find the list of medications that indicate shielding on the Asthma UK website. Have just found lots of info about what to do if shielding and general Covid 19 info.

Do you work for the NHS?
Have you done a risk assessment?

you have chronic asthma though surely. that is mentioned.

@ShadowsInTheDarkness the medication is on the Asthma website

You don’t fall into the sheilding group, but you do fall into the vulnerable group (over 70s and those entitled to an annual flu jab). Therefore I would have thought the last place you should be redeployed to is a covid Ward.

I feel really sorry for you. I hope that you can find a way you don’t have to be. The risk to you should you catch it is not acceptable.

EricaNernie Can you give me an idea of where please? I've clicked through pages and pages and can't find a list, just general Covid 19 advice about managing asthma etc.

Have you phone your occupational health for an individual risk assessment?

@ShadowsInTheDarkness, i saw it last week, but cannot find it today.
perhaps they removed it

They've removed the list and now it's as a pp states to do with the level of recent treatment needed rather than what type of inhaler you have. But yes OP I would ring your GP re this particular circumstance - while you're not in the shielding group, you are in the vulnerable group so your employer should take that into consideration in any redeployment.

I feel for you as my asthma is controlled as I take my medication & do as much as I can to avoid my triggers, biggest being colds & viruses as they go straight to my chest.

I found a version of the list but it's not complete as there was a few other drugs mentioned in addition to this. It was helpful to refer to but understand that history should be looked at.

Thanks all, I checked the Asthma UK site before they took down their list and my dosage of medication was not there. Which didn’t surprise me really because my asthma has been well controlled for a couple of years now but it has flared up in the past and I’ve certainly had periods where I’ve had lots of oral steroids and been on montelukast. I have had a risk assessment for my current role (which has become non patient contact as the dept is closed). I will get a new one when I go for my critical care training.

I just feel quite scared really and I feel as though working on a covid ward is high risk. There is probably nothing I can do about it.