Isle of Wight NHS Trust has become the first Trust in the region to introduce a direct pathway for children and young people’s spirometry, which is helping to improve the diagnosis and management of asthma and other respiratory conditions in children aged 6 and above.
Spirometry is a simple, non-invasive breathing test that measures how well the lungs are working by assessing the amount of air a person can exhale, and how quickly. It is an important tool for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions such as asthma.
The service launched earlier this year at the Island’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Mary’s Hospital and has already provided access to diagnostic testing within 6 weeks to 91 young people.
Previously, children had to wait to see a consultant before they could have a spirometry test, which often led to long delays. The new CDC pathway means that children without complex needs can now have the test straight away, helping GPs to diagnose conditions sooner and continue care closer to home.
Vicky Lauchlan, Chief Operating Officer, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, has said:
“We are committed to bringing high-quality diagnostics closer to home, and this new children’s spirometry service is a powerful example of that.
“By enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, we can support families sooner, reduce the uncertainty that often comes with waiting for answers, and help children receive the care they need to stay well. This development strengthens our wider ambitions to improve access to timely diagnostics for our Island community, ensuring more people get the right tests at the right time.”
10-year-old Toby was referred by his GP to the CDC for a spirometry test after experiencing occasional shortness of breath. In the past, Toby has needed to travel to Southampton for other tests, so being able to attend the CDC just minutes from home and school has been a significant benefit for both Toby and his mum, Kayleigh.
Toby’s appointment took around an hour, and the results will now be analysed and sent to his GP to inform the next steps in Toby’s care.
Kayleigh, Toby’s mum, said:
“Today has been amazing. Travelling just 10 minutes down the road has been so convenient for us and everyone at the hospital has been really lovely, it’s fantastic.”
Dr Tracy Jones, Consultant Clinical Scientist Respiratory and Sleep Respiratory at St. Mary’s Hospital, adds:
“We are proud to have started the new children’s spirometry pathway here on the island – the first in the HIOW region. With 20,000 children every year being admitted to hospital in England with poorly controlled asthma, the new service at the island’s CDC that is supported by trained staff will provide help provide children with an accurate diagnosis and support the development of the best possible care management plan.”
There are too many filthy diesel and petrol vehicles
polluting the island, it’s time the island went green to
help keep a cleaner healthier environment.
It’s no surprise there are more asthma and respiratory
problems on the island.