Trend indicator key: 
Favourable
Unfavourable
No change
No trend data
No data
Potentially preventable hospitalisations
There is no change in the trend for this indicator Some hospitalisations for chronic disease are considered potentially avoidable, particularly if timely and adequate non-hospital care is provided elsewhere.
In 2008–09, there were over 378,800 potentially preventable hospitalisations for chronic diseases (4.6% of all hospitalisations). Over time, this proportion has remained reasonably stable. A recent small decrease has occurred due to the introduction of changes in clinical coding rules in June 2008 that reduces the number of chronic conditions included (Indicator 2.24 presents statistics for the individual conditions).
Asthma action plan
There is no change in the trend for this indicator
Asthma action plans are written instructions about what to do if a patient’s asthma deteriorates.
Asthma plans are developed by the doctor in consultation with the patient, and are key to treating asthma effectively. In 2007–08, 21% of long-term asthma sufferers had an action plan. Children who are aged less than 15 were more likely to have an action plan compared with older people.