There are many common respiratory viruses seen in children, which most will have had by the time they turn 2.
However, in children under 2, the more serious consequences can lead to bronchiolitis, infection of the lower airways, that can make the airways inflamed and mucusy making it harder to breath.
The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold, such as a runny nose and a cough.
Further symptoms can develop over the next few days, and may include:
- a slight high temperature (fever)
- a dry and persistent cough
- difficulty feeding
- rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing)
- parents should seek emergency NHS care if their child become breathless – the most common symptom of severe RSV.
If you suspect you have a coroavirus infection, please don't attend the surgery unless advised to do so. If you do attend it is important that you wear a face mask at all times.
If you have the NHS App on your phone (or if you use Patient Access on your computer/tablet, then you can order your repeat prescriptions online without phoning the Practice. Why not give it a go?
COVID SPRING BOOSTER VACCINE CLINICS
Booking is now open for the Spring Covid booster programme*.
Appointments are bookable via nhs.uk (National Booking System) or by calling 119 (NHS Covid vaccination line).
(Please note that clinics taking place in the Primary Care Centre will appear on the booking system as "The Sele Medical Practice (CHC)".
Saturday 18th April 08:30-16:30
Sunday 19th April 08:30-16:30
Saturday 25th April 08:30-16:30
Saturday 2nd May 08:30-16:30
* Eligible patients: age 75+ (you need to have turned 75 on, or before 30th June 2026) or if you are 16+ and immunosuppressed.
Important Notice:
Due to a long-awaited change from NHS England we are pleased to announce that we planning to offer our own patients both flu and Covid vaccinations this Autumn. So rather than use the National Booking System for the Autumn vaccinations you would book directly with us.
Updated: 9th April 2026
Autumn Covid and Flu Vaccinations (Information updated 10/4/2026)
GP Practices have been required to offer Covid vaccinations as a group, rather than as individual Practices, since 2020. NHS England has now changed the rules so individual Practices can now offer both Covid and Flu vaccinations. This means that for the Autumn programme starting in October 2026 we plan to offer both vaccinaitons to our own patients only and in our own clinics. This will give us more flexibility in when we hold clinics and patients will see familiar faces when they are vaccinated.
Bookings will be made through the Practice on our normal appointments system. This means that we will not be using the National Booking System. Well before the start of October we will be sending out booking links for appointments. These will be just like the links we have used in the past for other appointments, including flu vaccination. You will be able to book an appointment and decide when you attend if you wish to have either flu or Covid and flu vaccinations.
We know that some people are not able to use online booking systems, so for those people who may in the past have phoned 119 to book a Covid vaccination we will handle that instead. You would speak to a receptionist either in person or by phone to book an appointment.
Please see our website nearer the time for details of clinics.
We have equipment that can be used to diagnose two lung conditions - Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the name for a group of conditions that can cause breathing difficulties and includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it.
In order to diagnose COPD we use a device called a spirometer. You blow into a tube and we can assess the force of your breath and the amount of air you can blow out. This test usually takes around 20 minutes to perform and we use it regularly for people with known COPD to check how they are doing. For diagnosis we do the test twice with a short gap between the tests having administered an inhaler. In that case you will have a 20 minute appointment, followed by a wait in the waiting room and then another 20 minute appointment. In total the tests will take about 1 hour.
For asthma diagnosis we follow a clinical guideline that has different steps depending on your age and the results of tests. The tests that we use include blood tests, peak flow diaries, spirometry and FeNO. The FeNO test involves blowing into a tube to measure your exhaled nitric oxide gases. Because we are measuring the content of your exhaled air, rather than just the amount or force of the blow, there are some things you have to be aware of in preparation for the test. In particular as regards exercise, drinking alcohol and certain foods. The attached sheet provides more information and should be read carefully in advance of your test. The test itself involves blowing steadily for around 12 seconds.
