Surgery Clinics

What is myCOPD?

myCOPD is a digital therapeutic app that can support people with COPD, empowering them to better manage their condition day-to-day to improve their disease control, and subsequent demand on NHS resources.

myCOPD provides a range of resources designed to improve disease awareness and support patients to proactively manage their condition through risk factor management and lifestyle modification. Features of the app include pulmonary rehabilitation videos, videos on inhaler technique, COPD checklists and lung function tests, weather and pollution forecasting, self-management plans and inhaler diaries along with notifications to keep users on track.

Used as an integral part of service delivery by clinical teams, the 'my COPD Clinical Dashboard' can be used to support effective goal setting and facilitate hybrid and remote delivery models of care.

Our team

Our specialist mental health nurses are available to work with patients to better manage their mental health issues, and signpost to local activities and resources which can support their recovery. Please contact reception or speak with your GP to book an initial appointment. Or you can self-refer with Knowle West Healthy Care Living Centre.

Our Social prescribing link worker is there to listen to you and put you in touch with the people and activities that might help you to feel better. Social prescribing can help you to have more control over your own health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you. For example, that might be connecting you to a community group to meet more people or an advice service to support you with your bills.

If you would like an appointment with a social prescriber, please speak with your GP or mental health nurse specialist.

The surgery can offer patients experiencing depression, low mood or anxiety, the opportunity to have an extended appointment with a mental health nurse specialist.

Our specialist nurse works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To be referred in to this service you must speak to your usual GP first.

For more mental health information, including local and national support, see our mental health self-help page.

The programme enables patients to test their kidney function from home.

The data is being processed for the purpose of delivery of a programme, sponsored by NHS Digital, to monitor urine for indications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is recommended to be undertaken annually for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease for example, patients living with diabetes.

We will share your contact details with Healthy.io to enable them to contact you and send you a test kit.  This will help identify patients at risk of kidney disease and help us agree any early interventions that can be put in place for the benefit of your care. Healthy.io will only use your data for the purposes of delivering their service to you.

If you do not wish to receive a home test kit from Healthy.io we will continue to manage your care within the Practice. Healthy.io are required to hold data we send them in line with retention periods outlined in the Records Management code of Practice for Health and Social Care.

Read more about this service at the Minuteful website

In the treatment rooms our team of nurses, health care assistants and phlebotomists provide a range of services for minor injuries, wound care, immunisations, blood tests, health check, blood pressure testing, cervical smears, ear syringing and travel clinics.

The nursing team also hold regular specialist clinics offering monitoring, support and advice in the following areas:

• Diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• COPD
• asthma
• smoking Cessation

What is Spirometry?

Spirometry is a basic breathing test which measures the amount of air you can breathe in and then blow out forcefully. Your GP/ Practice Pharmacist has requested this test to assess your lung function following your recent visit.

How is the test performed?

The Practice Pharmacist performing the test will measure your height and weight and then ask you to sit upright in a chair next to the device. You will be asked to take a deep breath in and blow into the Spirometer with a relaxed blow until your lungs are completely empty. You will need to do this at least 3 times up to a maximum of 8 times. Following this test you will be asked to perform another where you will need to blow as hard and fast as you can until your lungs are completely empty. You will need to do this at least 3 times up to a maximum of 8 times.

Reversibility test

You will be given an inhaler (bronchodilator) which will open up your airways to their best possible. The pharmacist will demonstrate how to use the inhaler via a spacer.  You will then have the test where you will need to blow as hard and fast as you can until your lungs are completely empty repeated 15 minutes later to see if there is any improvement. During the 15 minute interval you will be asked to sit and wait in the waiting area.

Will I feel any pain or discomfort?

The test is not painful but can feel a little uncomfortable. Some patients experience light-headedness. You will be encouraged to do your best and will be given time between each blow but you must inform the technician if it is causing you to feel unwell.

How long will the test take?

The initial part of the test takes approximately 25 minutes, you will have the 10 minutes interval whilst the inhaler takes effect and then another 5 minutes of testing. In total, the appointment will take approximately 40 minutes. The nurse may give you advice on further treatment/inhalers or they may ask you to make a telephone appointment with your GP to discuss the results.

How should I prepare for spirometry?

If you are already taking regular inhalers or medication for your breathing, please bring them to your appointment but we ask that you do not use them if possible for the time specified below:

If you feel breathless and need to use any of these inhalers within the times above please inform the technician at the start of your appointment.

Other instructions

• Please do take all of your other medications as normal
• Please do bring any inhalers you have to the appointment
• Please do not smoke in the 24 hours before the test
• Please do not drink alcohol on the day of the test
• Please do not have caffeine for example, tea or coffee in the 4 hours before the test
• Please avoid eating a large meal 2 hours before the test
• Please avoid vigorous exercise in the last 30 minutes
• Please wear non-restrictive, comfortable clothing

For your comfort please empty your bladder just before your appointment.

If, on the date of your test, you have a chest infection please ring the surgery to cancel and re-book the appointment when you have been well for at least 6 weeks. A chest infection and / or oral steroids will affect your test and give your GP or pharmacist invalid results.

What are the benefits of having spirometry?

The results of the test will greatly benefit your doctor/ pharmacist when diagnosing problems with your breathing or when monitoring an existing respiratory condition.

What are the risks involved?

The procedure is performed frequently at the surgery and is very low risk. However, because the test requires maximum effort it is important to ensure that it is suitable for you.

You may feel light-headed after each attempt at the test, but this should only last a few seconds. Occasionally some patients feel shaky after they have had the inhaler, this is also normal and should only last for a short time.

Rarer complications include fainting due to the forced nature of the test and nausea.

What can I expect after the test, and when can I resume normal activities?

After the test is over, you can go home and resume your normal activities straight away. You should not experience any lasting effects from the test. You should resume taking your inhalers as normal.

When do I get the results?

The pharmacist performing the test may not be able to give you any results at the appointment. They may ask you to make a follow-up appointment with the clinician that referred you.

What if I have concerns or queries before the test?

Please feel free to phone the surgery, and they will arrange for you to speak to the practice pharmacist who specialises in Spirometry, and she will be able to address any questions you may have.

Possible contraindications to spirometry

If you have any of the following, please call the surgery to let us know as you may not be able to have your spirometry appointment:

• Coughing up blood
• Current chest pain
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours
• Current/recent chest infection within the last 6 weeks
• Active TB
• Bullous emphysema (a chronic lung condition)
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction) in the last 7 days
• Unstable or uncontrolled angina
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) in the last 3 weeks
• Pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lung)
• Chest or abdominal (tummy) surgery in the last 4 weeks
• Previous stroke
• Brain surgery in the last 3 to 6 weeks
• Chest, abdominal (tummy) or brain aneurysms
• Vascular surgery within the last 6 weeks
• Detached retina in the last 8 weeks
• Middle ear infection which has been treated in the last 2 weeks
• Ear perforation in the last 4 weeks