The Pembrokeshire Schools Respiratory Project - an innovative initiative improving asthma and respiratory care in primary school children, was celebrated for its outstanding success at an event held at the Senedd.

The project, running since 2023 across North and South Pembrokeshire School Clusters, delivers in-school respiratory reviews and educational sessions for pupils, parents, and teaching staff. It is the first programme of its kind in Wales.

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz met with project lead, Narberth-based pharmacist Dave Edwards at the Senedd on January 27, and representatives from Asthma + Lung UK to mark the success of the flagship project.

Dave said: “Respiratory conditions in children represent a burden for the child, the family, and the healthcare system.

“Our aim is to confirm diagnoses, educate pupils and parents about their condition, emphasise adherence and inhaler technique, and ensure every child has a personalised treatment plan that gives them good control. This project demonstrates how local health initiatives can make a real difference.”

As part of the project, a range of educational sessions were delivered for pupils, parents, and school staff. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils received talks on the dangers of smoking and vaping, helping to raise awareness of the impact of these habits on respiratory health. For staff and parents, sessions were delivered in line with the recommendations of the National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) and as part of Asthma + Lung UK’s ‘Asthma Fit’ programme.

These sessions covered common childhood respiratory illnesses, the signs and symptoms of asthma, correct inhaler technique and use of inhaled therapy, the features of good asthma control, and the importance of having a management plan for worsening symptoms.

Schools participating in the ‘Asthma Fit’ programme also put in place robust measures to support asthma management. These include a designated asthma lead and a comprehensive asthma policy, an up-to-date register of pupils with inhalers, individualised asthma action plans for each pupil, and clear policies on emergency reliever use, with staff trained to respond appropriately to asthma attacks.

The project aligns closely with national guidance, including the RCP NRAD report, NHS England’s National Bundle of Care for Children and Young People with Asthma, repeated Asthma + Lung UK reports, and the All Wales Paediatric Asthma Guidelines. The results to date are impressive: 583 children have been reviewed, with over 65% showing improvements in their asthma control scores. Treatment has been optimised for 65% of pupils, contributing to a reduction in hospital and out-of-hours visits and delivering environmental savings equivalent to over 70,000 car miles. In the Autumn Term 2025 alone, 75 pupils received reviews, personalised action plans, and inhaler education.

Mr Kurtz said: “I am delighted to celebrate the success of this Pembrokeshire project in the Senedd. It has helped children, parents, and schools manage asthma better, easing the burden on GPs and emergency care.

“Behind every statistic is a real child seeing real improvement – and that is what makes this project truly remarkable. I congratulate Dave Edwards and all involved for their dedication. I’m extremely proud of the fact that a Pembrokeshire based project is leading the way forward in asthma management and is a flagship for other areas across the UK looking to improve outcomes for younger respiratory patients.”

“I’m pleased to hear that plans are already in place to expand the initiative to more schools over the next two years – this project is thoroughly deserving of continued support.”