Advocacy and Policy

Policy development: An area of growth in AFNSW

What is policy? Policy is a formal statement of an organisations position on an issue that helps define priorities and parametres for action.

Asthma Foundation NSW has recently created a policy and research capacity to help develop the Foundation’s written policy and position statements on key areas of business and service delivery within the organisation.

Policy is being developed that covers key areas of interest for those with asthma and their caregivers, such as issues concerning the environment and other relevant issues such as asthma and exercise, asthma and older Australians and asthma and pregnancy.

Asthma Foundation NSW is also in the process of developing policy regarding our core values and the way we conduct business. We are currently developing policy and position statements around how we develop strategies as a consumer body representing people with asthma and how we conduct business with pharmaceutical companies.

In addition there are wider policy issues that need be addressed concerning how the Foundation interfaces with wider State and Federal health policy. For example, the Foundation is currently investigating and formulating its position regarding asthma first aid protocol in childcare centres. This pressing policy issue has come to the forefront because of the volume of calls to our information line from childcare centres throughout NSW who have been given conflicting advice from various parties regarding asthma first aid. The Asthma Foundation and NSW Health are working closely to clarify protocol and formulate clear guidelines around this issue...