Patient information

Children's services

Find out what to expect when you come to hospital for your child's respiratory appointment.

Before your appointment

Parents/caregivers should attend all appointments with your child if they are under the age of 16.

Please bring all medicines and creams that have been prescribed to the appointment. Also remember to bring your child’s ‘red book’ and check your appointment letter for anything specific you may have been asked to take. In addition, it would be helpful if you could bring the following:

your full address and telephone number(s)
your appointment card and appointment letter
your GP’s name and address

During your appointment

Waiting times in our clinic vary so please plan to spend at least an hour with us.

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present for some appointments. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the nurse or doctor know and the students will be asked to step outside.

During the appointment your child may have a lung function test. Children with asthma will be asked to perform lung function tests, which involve blowing as hard and as long as possible through a tube. We try to make this enjoyable for children by using computer images, such as bursting balloons or playing skittles.

Other tests and investigations may include:

blood tests
full immunodeficiency testing
full lung function testing
exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) measurement test for allergic asthma
fibre-optic bronchoscopy for examining the lungs
state-of-the-art polysomnography to monitor breathing patterns during sleep
MSLT for diagnosis of narcolepsy

You will be notified of these tests in advance and have them explained to you.

After your appointment

If medications are required an action plan will be provided and we will provide training on how to use devices such as inhalers and auto-adrenaline-injectors for severe allergic reactions.

Results of test are sent through to your GP but, parents may enquire about results with prior arrangement via Dr Habibi's PA on 020 3312 7683.