Haringey Respiratory Diagnostic Hubs

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If your GP suspects that your or your child may have a respiratory disease such as Asthma, they will now refer you to directly to one of four Haringey hub sites rather than to one of the local hospitals.

Respiratory disease can require multiple tests, and so the sites will review your personal needs and complete the required testing to support the appropriate diagnosis. The main tests completed will be a Spirometry test and/or a FeNO test. Both tests are non-Invasive, painless, and safe.

How will I get an appointment?

What to expect with Spirometry

A spirometry test Is completed by breathing into a spirometry machine. This machine measures how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath. In some instances, you may be provided Inhaled bronchodilator medicine (through an inhaler) and asked to repeat the test. While this test is very safe, it requires you to quickly exhale as forcefully as you can, and so you may feel dizzy or faint for a short period afterwards.

Further information on spirometry.

Preparing for the test

If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions below, please inform your clinician who will decide if the test is approproiate for you.

• Have you suffered from a recent pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism?
• Have you recently had chest pains, angina, myocardial infraction (heart attack)?
• Have you recently had a stroke?
• History of an aneurysm?
• Do you have any ear problems e.g. recent ear surgery, on the middle and inner ear (in the past year)?
• Do you have any eye problems (recent eye op or eye truma, cataract)?
• Have you recently had abdomincal surgery?
• Do you have raised blood press (> 200/110 mmHg)?
• Are you pregnant or within three months of having had a baby?
• Do you have an acute back problem or suffer from any back discomfort?
• Have you had/have you got a chest infection that needed treatment with antibiotic or oral steriods or if you have any other severe illness in the last six weeks?

Prior to the test you should

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid eating substantial meals for at least 2 hours before the test
• Avoid vigorous exercise 30 minutes prior to test
• If you take inhaled steroids (Preventor inhalers such as clenil) please continue to use them as advised by your doctor.
• Please stop using the following medications before the appointment:
  • Relievers (blue) - Salbutamol/Terbutaline: stop 4 hours before the appointment
  • Short acting anticholinergics - Atrovent / Ipratropium: stop 6 hours before the appointment
  • Long-acting relievers - Salmeterol / Formoterol / Fostair, Symbicort, Flutiform, Sirdupla, Duoresp, Seretide:  stop 12 hours before the appointment
  • Long-acting relievers - Relvar: stop 24 hours before the appointment
  • Long-acting anticholinergics - Spiriva / Incruse / Eklira / Anoro / Trimbow / Trelegy: stop 24 hours before the appointment
  • Long-acting oral bronchodilators - Theophylline/montelukast:  stop 24 hours before the appointment

On the day

We recommend you wear loose and comfortable clothing that allows you to breathe fully.

What to expect with FeNO.

A FeNO test Is completed by breathing into a small machine. This machine analyses your breath to measure the level of Inflammation In your airways. This test Is safe, easy, and quick to complete.

Prior to the test you will be asked to avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, large meals, and strenuous activity for at least one hour.

Further information about the NHS FeNO

Where will I be seen?

Depending on your local hub site you will be seen at one of the below:

• Morris House Group practice: 239 Lordship Ln, London N17 6AA
• Arcadian Gardens Surgery: 1 Arcadian Gardens, London N22 5AB
• West Green Surgery: 590 - 598 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London N8 0RA
• Queenswood Medical Practice: 151 Park Rd, London N8 8JD