National Asthma Council Forms New Teams to Improve Emergency Asthma Care
14 Oct 2026
Announced on International Emergency Nurses Day, the initiative also recognises the important role emergency nurses play in assessing and treating people with potentially life-threatening asthma symptoms.
The Adult Acute Asthma Working Group and Paediatric Acute Asthma Working Group include emergency physicians, pharmacists, general practitioners, respiratory specialists and nursing experts.
Associate Professor Tamsin Jones is among the members. She is an emergency care nurse, researcher and clinical educator with more than 20 years of experience. She recently began working as Associate Professor of Emergency Nursing with Monash University and The Alfred Care Group. Her work focuses on emergency nursing, clinical standards, workforce training and managing pressure on acute healthcare services.
Members of the Paediatric Acute Asthma Working Group:
- Dr Jason Hort, paediatric emergency medicine physician
- Professor Simon Craig, paediatric emergency medicine physician
- Dr Charmaine Gray, paediatric emergency medicine physician
- Dr Zondiwe Mwanza, paediatric emergency medicine physician and consultant paediatrician
- Dr Tim Jones, general practitioner and medical educator
- Dr Geshani Jayasuriya, paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine physician
- Adele Berry, nurse practitioner
- Alex Hilton, senior pharmacist
Members of the Adult Acute Asthma Working Group:
- Dr Peter Leman, emergency medicine physician
- Professor Diana Egerton-Warburton, emergency medicine physician
- Associate Professor Kavita Varshney, emergency and disaster medicine physician
- Associate Professor Mark Putland, emergency medicine physician
- Dr Natalia Popowicz, respiratory clinical pharmacist
- Associate Professor Tamsin Jones, emergency care nurse, researcher and clinical educator
- Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, specialist respiratory physician
- Dr Brett Montgomery, general practitioner
The council has acknowledged the expertise and commitment of the working group members, who often provide care in demanding and high-pressure situations.
The initiative aims to strengthen emergency asthma care and improve outcomes for patients and their families.
National Asthma Council Forms New Teams to Improve Emergency Asthma Care
Source: National Asthma Council Australia.