Patients in Lewisham can now benefit from super-quick asthma tests available at all local GP surgeries, marking a significant innovation in diagnosis within primary care. This pioneering programme, funded by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) in partnership with the Lewisham Integrated Care board, makes Lewisham the first borough in London to offer such advanced diagnostic tools at this level.
The new FeNO testing devices allow for the measurement of nitric oxide in exhaled breath, providing an instant analysis. If levels are elevated, indicating inflammation typical of most asthma types, patients can receive a confirmed diagnosis and a treatment plan within minutes during their appointment. This significantly improves upon the previous, longer process involving hospital referrals and complex breathing tests.
Dr Tom Simpson, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, highlighted the importance of the new technology: “Asthma is incredibly common, but getting a firm diagnosis hasn’t always been quick or straightforward. FeNO changes that; it’s such a simple and quick test and gives us essential information about what is happening in someone’s lungs and airways.” He added that providing these machines across Lewisham is a “major breakthrough” for improving diagnostic capacity and supporting primary care partners.
To raise public awareness, LGT is launching the 'Don’t Ignore the Four' campaign, highlighting common asthma symptoms such as tight chests, nighttime coughing, breathlessness, or wheezing. Residents experiencing these symptoms are urged to book an appointment at their GP surgery and request a FeNO test. Posters will be distributed across GP surgeries, pharmacies, schools, and other public spaces, with Lewisham Council supporting the campaign through its advertising spaces.
Pop-up testing events will also take place at Lewisham Shopping Centre on Wednesday 28 October and Thursday 29 October, between 10am and 2pm. Cllr Samantha Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This is fantastic news for Lewisham. Asthma can have a huge impact on people’s lives, so making a quick and simple test available through our local GP surgeries should make it much easier for residents to find out whether asthma could be behind their symptoms.” Cllr Gardiner herself recently underwent the test at the Novum Health Partnership.
Jane Dolega-Ossowski, Lead Practice Nurse at Novum, welcomed the community-based testing, explaining that it allows for diagnosis during appointments rather than requiring hospital referrals. She noted, “Asthma is so treatable once you have a diagnosis and these tests will really help to change the lives of patients struggling with respiratory issues.” Dr Tom Simpson also encouraged anyone concerned about their symptoms or current treatment to consult their GP practice.
A fact file on asthma in Lewisham reveals that around 5.0% of residents have a confirmed diagnosis, below the national expected rate of 7.1%, suggesting a significant undiagnosed population. The new testing capacity in GP surgeries is expected to increase monthly diagnoses from 50-100 cases to 350-400. Previously, Lewisham residents waited up to 8 months for a diagnosis, and FeNO testing was not available for 5-16 year olds due to capacity limitations.
