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Respiratory system
Respiratory Centre
Treatments and services at the Respiratory Centre
How to take your inhalers
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Self-management advice
Sleep studies
Accessing Respiratory Centre services

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Treatments and services at the Respiratory Centre

The Respiratory Centre provides a number of treatments and services to help diagnose and treat lung conditions and breathing problems. These include:

  • Asthma reviews. These are appointments with a specialist nurse or respiratory consultant to talk about your asthma symptoms and treatment. They happen at regular intervals and also if you have a serious asthma attack or need to change medicine. It is also our aim that all patients admitted to Southampton General Hospital with suspected or confirmed asthma are seen on the ward or in the Emergency Department by the asthma specialist nursing team.
  • Allergy and immunotherapy. We can carry out allergen challenge testing, where a patient's allergic reaction to substances such as food or drugs is tested under controlled conditions. The Centre also carries out immunotherapy, this is where patients are made less sensitive to a substance (the allergen) that causes an allergic reaction, by being given a series of injections containing increasing amounts of the allergen. 
  • Contiuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).   This is the treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). It requires the patient to wear a special face mask at night to relieve symptoms of sleepiness during the day.
  • COPD reviews.  We aim to see all patients admitted to the hospital with COPD.  If appropriate after discharge, patients are offered appointments with a specialist nurse or respiratory consultant to talk about your respiratory symptoms and treatment.  They can be booked routinely by your GP or nurse and more urgently if you have an exacerbation of your symptoms or need to change medicine. The Respiratory Centre is now an integral part of the newly formed Southampton COPD partnership.
  • Immunology.  Patients with primary immunodeficiency can be trained to deliver their treatments at home. Patients and their carers are given one to one training over a period of four to six weeks to enable them to carry out the procedure in their own home. This reduces their need to attend hospital on a regular basis, empowers the patient and significantly increases their independence.
  • Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Patients with ILD conditions are supported through nurse-led clinics and telephone contact.  The nurse-led clinics enable the patients to have their lung function and progress monitored between consultant reviews.  Following the patient's appointment, the review is discussed with the consultant and any appropriate treatment changes can be initiated. 
  • Dietetic input. Respiratory conditions can cause you to use more or less energy than average, so you may need to eat more or less accordingly. It may also help your breathing and overall health to adjust the balance of different types of food in your diet.
  • Oxygen assessments.  Tests are carried out on blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse, oxygen levels and other factors, to find out whether a patient needs to take a regular extra supply of oxygen (oxygen therapy, or home oxygen). Patients who need home oxygen therapy can be referred to the Centre for a trial of the equipment they will need to use.
  • Non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This treatment is for patients who require extra help with their breathing. The patient has to wear a special face mask at night and sometimes during the day. Patients who receive this treatment are also able to contact TRC directly for support and advice and those patients using NIV at home have access to the community respiratory team 24-hours a day should they require assistance with their machines. 
  • Palliative (end of life) care. This is currently specifically for patients with COPD.
  • Psychological support. Some patients may need help to cope with the stresses and feelings they have as a result of their condition.
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation. A number of therapies, such as breathing techniques and exercise programmes, are combined to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with lung disease. More information on the pulmonary rehabilitation service.
  • Physiotherapy.  Structured exercise can be used to improve the strength of patients' lungs and, for some conditions, to help clear away mucus in the lungs. More information on self-management techniques.
  • Sleep studies. Patients are sometimes referred to the Respiratory Centre by their GP or consultant for investigation of their breathing while they are asleep. This can help diagnose conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea. Patients with this condition may be recommended for a trial of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure). A trial of CPAP can be carried out at the Centre. More information on visiting TRC for a sleep study.
  • Therapeutic trials. This might include being started on a new inhaler, nebuliser or assessing patients for home oxygen. Patients can be assessed for their suitability for, and the effects of these new treatments.