The Respiratory SDEC is for Birmingham and Solihull adults aged 18 and over with an acute respiratory illness. These are patients who have been triaged as unsuitable for GP care but are not critically unwell and are able to make their own way to Washwood Heath Health and Wellbeing Centre.
The service is for adults with an exacerbation of chronic respiratory conditions including:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Respiratory Failure
- Bronchiectasis
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Who can refer?
This is a clinician-to-clinician respiratory referral service, with referrals from GPs, SDEC and Single Point of Access (SPA).
Patient referrals are by telephone only. Outside these hours, usual processes should be followed if a patient requires urgent attention. Patients referred after 15:00 may be seen the following day.
For any general enquiries about the Respiratory SDEC, get in touch via email.
Please note, patient referrals will not be accepted via email.
Referral criteria
No requirement for additional oxygen:
- oxygen sats 94% or better, unless COPD, then oxygen saturation 88% or better
- blood pressure 90/50 or better
- respiratory Rate 28 or less
- GCS 15
- ability to mobilise independently
- no patients that meet the two week wait criteria
Specifically relating to asthma:
- peak flow 70% of predicted or better
- no previous ITU admissions
If you would like to make a referral, contact us via telephone.
What will happen during the appointment?
Upon referral, patients will receive bespoke care by a team of respiratory specialists, including respiratory consultants and clinical nurse specialists, that will include:
- a full respiratory assessment
- blood tests (if required)
- diagnostics on site: chest x-ray
- medications via the on-site pharmacy
- self-management plan
- respiratory education (smoking cessation / symptom control / inhaler technique)
- appropriate follow up/onward referrals
- access to mental health input, if required
Onward care
Following care and appropriate treatment, patients will either be:
- discharged with no further action
- followed up within Respiratory SDEC
- followed up under the Respiratory Medicine team at Heartlands Hospital
- admitted to a virtual ward
- referred to a community respiratory service
- escalated to Heartlands Hospital (via 999)
After a first visit to the Respiratory SDEC, in the event of any future respiratory issues, patients can self-refer by contacting us via telephone.
Referrals
Patient referrals are by telephone only.
Outside opening hours, usual processes should be followed if a patient requires urgent attention.
Patients referred after 15:00 may be seen the following day.
Contact us
Respiratory Same Day Emergency Care Service
Washwood Heath Health and Wellbeing Centre
Clodeshall Road
Birmingham
B8 3SN
Clinician referrals
Email enquiries
The team can be reached between the hours 09:00 am — 17:00, Monday to Friday.
Last reviewed: 17 February 2025