'Respiratory hub gives me more time with patients'

Dr Daniel Ogidigben has seen the hub relieve pressure on his GP surgery

Doctors say a new respiratory hub is freeing up appointment slots and reducing pressure on GPs and hospitals.

The pilot, at Hendford Lodge Medical Centre in Yeovil, has welcomed more than 600 patients with lung and breathing conditions.

"I'm glad its there. I probably got an appointment quicker because they've got the hub than (if) I had to wait to see my GP," said patient Philip Ratsey.

Dr Daniel Ogidigben, who works at the hub as well as a nearby surgery, said: "It gives me that leeway to be able to assist patients for multiple other problems."

He explained half of his patients were usually coming in with respiratory problems during winter, but now there are "no respiratory patients on the list".

Initiatives like the respiratory hub are "critical" in addressing seasonal pressures on the NHS, Dr Philip Hine said

Dr Philip Hine, GP partner at Hendford Lodge, deals with triaging patients at the hub, which was launched a month ago.

He said it was also helping to keep people safer.

"So, as opposed to them coming in and sitting in our waiting room where they might be next to elderly people or very young people that might be susceptible to picking up those kind of infections, we bring them in one at a time to be seen by a doctor there and we can actually take particular precautions," said Dr Hine.

He added that the hub had "made a real difference" for patients, as anyone with suspected respiratory issues can be seen promptly allowing GPS to focus on "routine" care.

Philip Ratsey was directed to the respiratory hub in Yeovil

Mr Ratsey explained he was directed to the hub after experiencing flu-like symptoms and "laboured" breathing.

"I think it's a good idea," he said.

"All the particular people with that ailment are going to one plac - it's restricting how many other people are getting infected."

As well as reducing pressure on GPs, the hub hopes to treat people who may otherwise go to A&E at Musgrove park in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital where ambulance handover times last month averaged at just under two hours.

Jenna Malcolm, Yeovil Primary Care Network manager, said: "The waits that they would likely face in an A&E department could exacerbate their condition even more.

"This way they're getting same-day appointments. They know where to go, we've got trained staff to see them and everything's set up to support those patients and their follow-on care."

Jenna Malcolm said the success of the pilot had "surprised" the team

She explained that during winter, respiratory illnesses like flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) become "more prevalent".

"In December alone, nearly 740 patients contacted their GP in Yeovil with respiratory concerns - far exceeding the usual numbers we experience," she added.

Ms Malcolm said the success of the six week pilot had "surprised" the team.

"We didn't quite expect this uptake, so it's been a really positive response."

It is hoped the hub will be run each winter to ease pressure in the area.