Asthma overview
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. There is no cure for asthma but in most sufferers, available treatments keep their symptoms under control.
But around 17 per cent of people with asthma suffer from either difficult-to-treat or severe asthma.
Difficult-to-treat asthma
This type of asthma means you have difficulty breathing, which can't be controlled by normal asthma treatments.
You may also have very severe asthma attacks.
Severe asthma
If you have this type of asthma, you find that normal asthma treatment don't work for you. You have also had other causes and triggers such as smoking and other long-term conditions ruled out.
At our asthma clinic, many patients have refractory asthma, where they have severe symptoms which are difficult to explain or control.
We ask some patients to stay with us for a few days so we can do a detailed assessment. This helps us to understand what is causing someone's symptoms and how we can treat them.
Find out more about what happens when you come in for treatment.
Who you will see
Asthma specialist nurse
They will go through your symptoms with you in details and talk to you about treatment.
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) review
People often have some inflammation in their nose without noticing any symptoms. Treating this inflammation can help improve asthma symptoms, so you may see a nose specialist during your assessment.
Physiotherapy review
All patients see a physiotherapist. They can help with a variety of problems, including:
- breathlessness
- issues with physical activity and exercise
- difficulty with clearance of sputum (mucus, phlegm).
Speech and language therapist
If your upper airways (throat) is contributing to your symptoms, we may get a speech and language therapist to see you. They specialise in voice and throat symptoms.
Psychology review
If you need to, you can speak to our psychologist during your stay. Addressing your psychological wellbeing if you have chronic respiratory symptoms is important.
At the end of your stay
When you are ready to leave, your consultant will create a management plan for your asthma. They will also arrange any follow-up appointments you need.
Your follow-up is normally as an outpatient, but another inpatient stay can be arranged if you need it.
Meet the team
Consultants
Professor Andrew Menzies-Gow
Professor Paul Cullinan
Dr James Hull
Dr Alexandra Nanzer-Kelly
Dr Jo Szram
Dr Johanna Feary
Specialist nurses
Rachel Stead
Donna Ell
Rachael Graham
Clinical psychology service
Dr Anne-Marie Doyle
Dr Jo Ashcroft
Physiotherapists
Lizzie Grillo
Sarah Todd
Sarah Akers
Speech and language therapist
Dr Julia Selby
Learn more about the asthma and allergy team.
Contact
If you have any other questions or if you need to change or cancel the admission, please contact:
Kelly Fairclough
Bed coordinator
Telephone: 020 7351 8092 (direct line)
Switchboard: 020 7352 8121, and ask for bleep 7703
Email: k.fairclough@rbht.nhs.uk