Pediatric Respirology Clinic

We provide comprehensive outpatient clinical service for children with respiratory diseases or problems, including:

• Asthma (Specific criteria needs to be met. Please refer to our referral form for more information). Of note, we no longer accept referrals for Asthma Education ONLY
• Breathing difficulties
• Chronic cough
• Ciliopathies
• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and CF Newborn Screening
• Recurrent pneumonia
• Respiratory sleep disorders
• Various lung conditions (e.g., Interstitial lung disease, lung disease of prematurity, genetic respiratory disease)
• Access to Skin Prick Testing for environmental allergens
• Access to Pediatric Pulmonary Function & Exercise Stress Testing through our Medical Diagnostic Unit (MDU).

Please note: if we feel that the referral could be managed by community respirologist, another specialist/provider, and/or does meet criteria for a tertiary care center, the referral may be declined with a request for it to be sent to an appropriate provider

How to prepare

We strive to provide comprehensive, family-centered, multi-disciplinary team care to our patients. Thus, the initial appointment is typically longer than follow-up appointments. Please prepare to be here for 1-2 hours (on average), especially if your child is booked for pre-visit pulmonary function testing.

Allergy skin-prick testing is often completed during the appointment. To avoid affecting the results, we ask that you have your child avoid antihistamines FIVE days prior to the appointment (e.g., Benadryl, Reactine, Claritin, Aerius). Allergy Skin-prick Testing involves introducing a small amount of the substance, or allergen onto the surface of the skin in the form of a “poke”. We utilize small devices called “Duotips” which are NOT needles. Skin-prick testing may be uncomfortable for your child. Please feel free to bring tools of distraction or items your child might find comforting.

What to bring

• Your child’s Health Card. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care requires us to validate your health card at every clinic visit
• Any relevant test results (x-rays) or letters from your child’s doctor or pediatrician.
• Any notes or questions that you may have
• List of current allergies
• Medications, including spacer devices/aerochambers and puffers

When you arrive, please check-in at the reception desk. The Business Clerk will register you in the electronic system so that your team will know that you have arrived.

Please note: If your child is ill with any antibiotic resistant organism, MRSA, a communicable disease (such as Chicken Pox), or a respiratory infection, please notify reception staff prior to your scheduled appointment. Our clinic number is (905) 521-2100 x 78517.

Our interdisciplinary team includes:

• Respirologists
• Nursing staff (Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner)
• Physiotherapist
• Registered dietitian
• Child Life Specialist
• Social Worker

The referral process is made through a direct referral from a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Referrals can be faxed directly to the clinic at Fax (905) 521-2654. Click the link below to download our referral forms. Please note that there are two referral forms, one for General Respirology Concerns/Asthma, and another specifically for Respiratory sleep concerns.

Urgent Referrals: The clinics are not for emergencies. If your child needs to be seen on an urgent basis, please contact your family doctor or go to your local emergency department.

Important – Please read before referring for Asthma

Referral Criteria for ASTHMA / Suspected Asthma referrals

• ICU Admission for Asthma regardless of prior treatment
• 1 hospital admission, 2 ED visits, OR 2 oral steroid courses despite management with moderate to high dose ICS as per CTS guidelines for greater than 3 months
• Consideration for biologic therapies
• Only referrals from within our catchment (Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN) will be accepted

For patients not meeting above criteria, please consider directing your referral to a Pediatrician or community Respirologist (e.g., Dr. Juliana Salazar in Ancaster, Fax 289-919-2511, or Dr. Jason McConnery at Kidwell Pediatrics in Kitchener, Fax 519-741-0286). A Pediatric Allergist is also capable of managing Asthma in varying severities.

Important – Please read before referring for Sleep Medicine concern

• We do not have a sleep lab at McMaster site. Patients will be sent to external sleep lab for sleep studies if appropriate (E.g., Etobicoke Brampton Sleep Clinic, SickKids, etc).
• For patients 13 years old and over: Please direct your referral to Dr. R. Gottschalk at the Hamilton Sleep Disorders Clinic on Frid Street at Fax (905) 529-2262. Their clinic would require an e-mail and cell phone number to expedite the booking process. An online questionnaire prior to consult is required. This can be done by visiting www.sleep-clinic-referral.ca
• Due to high referral volumes and our expertise in Respiratory sleep disorders, we do not see patients solely with sleep quality issues, insomnia, or other behavior-related sleep concerns. These referrals should be re-directed to sleep psychiatry (e.g., Youthdale Child & Adolescent Sleep Center in Toronto, or for adolescents with insomnia >13 years old: Dr. Cara Ooi at DECODE insomnia in Toronto)
• Only referrals from within our catchment (Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN) will be accepted.