About
In this episode Professor Tom Fardon returns to Clinical Conversations to discuss updates in asthma diagnosis and management from the joint BTS/SIGN/NICE guideline on Asthma. Prof Fardon and Dr Ben Warner discuss the changes to practice since the guidelines were released and the evolving role of biologics in asthma treatment.
Professor Fardon is a Consultant Respiratory Physician at NHS Tayside and Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee. They are also the chair of the Scottish Severe Asthma Group within the Centre for Sustainable Delivery.
Dr Ben Warner is a Respiratory Medicine Specialty Registrar with clinical and academic experience of global public health. He is currently undertaking a PhD in multimorbidity in Malawi as part of the Wellcome-funded Multimorbidity PhD Programme for Health Professionals with the University of Glasgow.
Recording Date: 9 December 2025
--Links--
BTS/SIGN/NICE guideline on Asthma - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245
Asthma Pathway - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng244
Algorithm A: Objective tests for diagnosing asthma in adults and young people (aged over 16 years) - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/resources/bts-nice-and-sign-algorithm-a-summary-of-objective-tests-for-diagnosing-asthma-pdf-13556516365
Algorithm C: Pharmacological management of asthma in people aged 12 years and over - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/resources/algorithm-c-pharmacological-management-of-asthma-in-people-aged-12-years-and-over-bts-nice-pdf-13556516367
‘Optimising inhaled therapy for patients with asthma’- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080353
Asthma+Lung UK website Inhalers resource - https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos
‘Greener Practice’ asthma care toolkit (free registration required)- https://www.greenerpractice.co.uk/asthma-toolkit/
'Greener Practice' Device Choice video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJGD48bryI
Asthma Guidelines (Plain Language Version) - https://www.sign.ac.uk/patient-public-involvement/plain-language-versions-of-guidelines/asthma/
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-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events
-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college
Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk
This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).
Professor Fardon is a Consultant Respiratory Physician at NHS Tayside and Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee. They are also the chair of the Scottish Severe Asthma Group within the Centre for Sustainable Delivery.
Dr Ben Warner is a Respiratory Medicine Specialty Registrar with clinical and academic experience of global public health. He is currently undertaking a PhD in multimorbidity in Malawi as part of the Wellcome-funded Multimorbidity PhD Programme for Health Professionals with the University of Glasgow.
Recording Date: 9 December 2025
--Links--
BTS/SIGN/NICE guideline on Asthma - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245
Asthma Pathway - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng244
Algorithm A: Objective tests for diagnosing asthma in adults and young people (aged over 16 years) - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/resources/bts-nice-and-sign-algorithm-a-summary-of-objective-tests-for-diagnosing-asthma-pdf-13556516365
Algorithm C: Pharmacological management of asthma in people aged 12 years and over - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/resources/algorithm-c-pharmacological-management-of-asthma-in-people-aged-12-years-and-over-bts-nice-pdf-13556516367
‘Optimising inhaled therapy for patients with asthma’- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080353
Asthma+Lung UK website Inhalers resource - https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos
‘Greener Practice’ asthma care toolkit (free registration required)- https://www.greenerpractice.co.uk/asthma-toolkit/
'Greener Practice' Device Choice video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJGD48bryI
Asthma Guidelines (Plain Language Version) - https://www.sign.ac.uk/patient-public-involvement/plain-language-versions-of-guidelines/asthma/
-- Follow us --
https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees
https://x.com/RCPEdinTrainees
-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events
-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college
Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk
This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).