Too excited for the world, Zara was born 10 weeks early. From her early start to life, Zara had challenges breathing but was never diagnosed with asthma. After a flare-up at eight, she was admitted to emergency where she stayed for ten days. That’s when Respiratory Care WA stepped in.
Our Respiratory Physician Dr Stephen Oo liaised with doctors and delivered a virtual consultation via video call. Alongside our Clinical Nurse Kate, they were able to talk to the hospital doctors and discuss results and next steps. After hospital, Zara visited our Children’s Respiratory Hub where she saw Dr Oo face-to-face and had Lung Function Testing and a care plan developed. Zara now regularly visits Dr Oo and has ongoing Lung Function Testing to monitor her condition.
“Asthma no longer holds me back. I used to struggle with my breathing during sports and was sick every winter, but we always thought it was because I was born early. Often, I’d have to leave the classroom to take my Ventolin as I’d feel breathless during the day. Looking back now, we didn’t know I could be living a better life! Now, I love our sports carnivals and never struggle for breath. I was seeing Respiratory Care WA educators and Dr Oo every eight weeks for a check-up and lung function testing but I’m now seeing them less and less as my asthma is even better managed. Mum and I know there’s always someone at the end of the phone for any questions. I’m SO much more confident with my asthma – and my whole family are too!” – Zara.
Diagnosing and treating asthma in children is hard on both kids and families. It involves multiple appointments with different health professionals, juggling time off school and work, navigating long waiting lists, and shuttling back and forth between hospital clinics and doctors’ surgeries. For many families, it leads to trips to the emergency department and thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Often families can’t live their lives, and this has a profound impact on the whole family.
Zara’s life was transformed when her GP referred her to Dr Oo and our Children’s Respiratory Hub. There, a formal asthma diagnosis, care plan, education, and personalised support proved to be life-changing.
Lung Function Testing is a series of simple, non-invasive breathing tests which take approximately one hour to complete. The testing is the most comprehensive available, identifying inflammation, lung strength and detecting lung restriction. The results help physicians diagnose and treat respiratory conditions such as asthma.
We’re the only not-for-profit delivering this crucial service in WA. Plus, we are a one-stop destination and fully bulk-billed so there are no out-of-pocket expenses, alleviating the stress and expense on families.
This year, we delivered free Lung Function Testing and education to thousands of children like Zara, helping them to breathe easy and giving their parents peace of mind and we’re aiming to help thousands more Western Australians be empowered with their asthma and live their best lives.
