Lung conditions (children)
Respiratory medicine covers everything to do with the breathing system: the lungs, diaphragm, nose, throat, larynx (voice box) and the trachea (wind pipe).
Our children and young people's respiratory service has specialist doctors and nurses to look after patients with a range of conditions, from asthma to cystic fibrosis (CF).
We offer regular outpatient clinics, supported by a respiratory nurse. Here, we carry out assessments of children with chronic cough, asthma and other breathing difficulties.
We are linked to local allergy and immunology (the study of immune systems) services. We offer screening for tuberculosis (TB) and BCG immunisation (which protects people against TB). We also offer basic screening for breathing problems during sleep.
The RD&E is a special Cystic Fibrosis Centre, caring for more than 80 children across Devon. Our team is made up of doctors, clinical nurse specialists, dieticians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and psychologists.
For more information please visit our:Exeter CF Centre website.
Where to find us
Depending on your appointment, you may be seen at one of our main hospital sites, at a community hospital, or in a specific community setting. Some specialties and treatment options are based solely at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), such as radiotherapy and some types of surgery.
Eastern services
RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW.
- Bramble Ward, H106
Our paediatric asthma nurse specialists provide an important link to schools where advice and guidance is required.
We offer a home overnight oxygen saturation study service, to screen children for abnormal breathing patterns during sleep.
Regular paediatric asthma nurse specialist and consultant-led clinics. Where possible, these run simultaneously to allow input from both health professionals.
Our respiratory nurse specialists also have regular TB clinics, where children can be screened and treated for TB. These are overseen by our TB consultant. They also run monthly BCG vaccination clinics.
Northern services
North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB.
- Children's Outpatient Department: Level 2
- Caroline Thorpe Ward: Ladywell Unit, Level 2
- Special Care Unit, Caroline Thorpe Ward, LadywellUnit, Level 2
Contact us
Eastern Services
If you want to get in touch with the department, please contact:
Respiratory
Telephone: 01392 40 2665
Cystic Fibrosis
Telephone: 01392 40 2726
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
Main switchboard on 01271 322577
Meet the team
Respiratory
Doctors:
- Dr Beth Enderby (respiratory and lead for CF)
- Dr Patrick Oades (CF)
- Dr Rachel Elderkin (CF)
- Dr Emily Chesshyre (TB and allergy)
- Dr Sian Ludman (allergy)
- Dr Rebecca Franklin (allergy and immunology)
Specialist Paediatric respiratory nurses:
- Michelle Curtis and Abbie Rickards
We also work closely with the paediatric radiologists, respiratory physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians and physiologists
Cystic Fibrosis
Specialist CF nurses:
- Liz Lane and Hannah Medforth
Other team members:
- Alice Day, Jayne Trott , Cory Dowdell (physiotherapists)
- Marie Barret and Martina Bartus (dieticians)
- Dr Holly Jones (psychology)
- Bridie Meiklereid (pharmacist)
Services and treatments
Here are some of the treatments we offer:
- Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide and peak flow measurements. These blowing tests help us to decide if your child has asthma. They can usually be performed by children over the age of 5 years.
- Check of inhaler technique and training where required. We do this regularly to help you to get the most from your treatments.
- Review of emergency management plans for use during asthma exacerbations. We will provide you with a written plan which will help you to know when you need to come into hospital.
- Screening for possible causes for chest symptoms (blood tests/ chest imaging/ assessment for gastro-oesophageal reflux / diagnostic tests for CF). The doctor might request these if they feel they will help us to understand more about why you are having chest symptoms.
- Nebulised treatments. If you need to have this at home we will provide training on how to use a nebuliser.
Sometimes children with severe asthma are recommended to have monthly injections and we will see you every time you come in for the first few months for an asthma review. If this treatment needs to carry on for a long time we can teach you how to give this at home.
If you are admitted to hospital with an asthma attack, someone from the asthma team will always try to see you before you go home. We will make sure you have all the right information, are on the right inhalers and are taking them in the right way.
We may refer you to a tertiary respiratory centre when access to specialist investigations and advice is needed. Our specialist centre is in Bristol.
Skin prick testing for aeroallergens. Find out more
Information for healthcare professionals
Please see North and East Devon Formulary for referral criteria for chronic cough in children.
Please see British Thoracic Society for referral criteria for asthma in children.
Supporting you
More support
If you are feeling down, stressed or anxious about anything, there are a number of websites and apps that can provide information, advice, and support.
Devon SEND Local Offer
What is the SEND Local Offer?
Devon’s SEND Local Offer is the education, health and social care services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Useful videos
We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.