IMPORTANT information for new patients attending our clinics: PLEASE READ!

We welcome you to our clinic, and will do our best to make sure your visit is as easy and stress-free as we can. 

Before you come, please feel free to email us at OCLDadmin@rbht.nhs.uk if there is anything you aren't clear about.

If you are being referred to us with asthma, you may find the Clinic information guide useful — it describes our clinic and what tests you can expect when you visit us for the first time.

• The appointment letter that we send you asks you to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time.

This is to allow for registration and a chest X-ray.  If you don't want a chest X-ray, please let us know when you arrive. 

• We do our best to see people on time, but we don’t always succeed; this is because we want to give everybody as much time as they wish. 

It’s best if you allow at least 3 hours for your first appointment, and bring something with you to pass the time.

• You are very welcome to bring someone with you to the consultation.

Tests

You are very likely to be asked to have the following routine tests at your first appointment; here are some specific instructions for you to follow in advance:

1. Basic lung function testing (spirometry)

If possible, please try not to take:

• any reliever inhalers (such as salbutamol, Ventolin or Bricanyl) inhalers for 4 hours prior to your appointment, and
• any long-acting bronchodilators (such as Symbicort, Seretide, Fostair, Flutiform, Serevent or Oxis) for 12 hours before your appointment

2. Skin prick (allergy) testing

• Please do not take any antihistamine medication for at least 48 hours (ideally, 7 days) before your appointment to ensure the tests are effective.

3. Peak flows

If you are asked to do peak flows, you can find information here.

What happens after your visit

After your visit, we will usually write a report for the doctor or nurse who referred you to us; we will send copies of this to you and your GP. 

If you want to see the report before we send it, please let us know and we will arrange this. 

Patient confidentiality is very important to us, and your health will not be discussed with anyone without your approval.  We follow the General Medical Council guidance on confidentiality.