Asthma/COPD Clinic

This service is run for patients who suffer from Asthma and COPD. This service is headed by a GP (Dr Baxter) and practice nurse
(Ren Lawlor).

We aim to allow all patients with these conditions to have a regular review of their condition to ensure they are being optimally treated.

If you are having an acute worsening of your Asthma or COPD you should make contact with reception to give you a same day appointment or telephone discussion with the duty Doctor.

Asthma patients

The type of appointment you need will depend on a number of factors including your age and how well controlled your condition is. The following is a suggested programme of review for different types of patients with asthma. Some patients will not fit these criteria and you should discuss an appropriate programme of follow up with your usual GP.

• Aged 7 or less

If your child does not have regular contact with hospital practitioners we suggest you should see Dr Baxter or if your prefer your usual GP at least once a year.

• Aged 8 to16

If your child does not have regular contact with hospital practitioners we suggest you should see the Ren Lawlor once a year.

• Adults under 45

Those young adults who have well controlled asthma do not always have to come into the surgery for a review. We do need to check your medication usage annually however. Ren Lawlor will make contact with you by phone to discuss your asthma. Usually she will be able to reauthorise your medication for another year on the basis of this consultation. However if there are any concerns you may be asked to make a further face to face appointment.

• Adults 45 or over

If you are 45 or over and have a diagnosis of asthma we will usually invite you for a check up at the surgery when your inhalers are due. Sometimes other breathing problems can develop in patients on asthma inhalers especially in smokers. We think it is useful to see you from time to time to check on this.

Asthma Links

www.asthma.org.uk
A useful site that tells you what asthma is and how to ensure you get the right treatment

COPD patients

COPD is short for Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease. This is a condition that causes worsening breathlessness. Sometimes it is mistaken for asthma but you can have it at the same time as asthma as well. You are more likely to have this condition if you have smoked for more than 20 years and if you easily get a bad chest infection.

Tests can be done at the surgery to work out what problem is causing your breathlessness. If it is COPD we can help you.

Patients who have the condition can improve and prevent more rapid worsening by stopping smoking, getting specialist physiotherapy and by using inhalers.

Patients with mild symptoms due to COPD will be invited by Ren Lawlor once a year for a review. This will involve a breathing test and a discussion of any current treatments.

Patients with more problematic symptoms will be seen twice a year by both Ren Lawlor and Dr Baxter. We will invite you when your routine review is due.

COPD Links

www.lunguk.org
A useful support group to help people understand their problem and make sure they get the best treatment.

Free Air Pollution Alert Service

If you suffer from Asthma or other respiratory conditions you may find this new free service useful. Just register at www.airtext.info and you can receive air pollution forecasts and alerts by text.

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