Diagnosis, spirometry, inhaler technique, written action plans and ongoing care for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for children and adults at Morisset Doctors.
GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card: children 15 and under, patients 65 and over with a pension or Health Care Card, and all other pension and Health Care Card holders.
Bring every puffer and spacer you use.
Tap to see moreYour GP or nurse will check your technique.
Book nowBulk billed for eligible patientsA written asthma action plan tells you what to do when symptoms change.
Tap to see moreReview it at least yearly.
Action plansBreathing tests help diagnose and monitor.
Tap to see moreSee the spirometry page for preparation.
SpirometryCall 000 if breathing is severe or the reliever is not helping.
Tap to see moreFollow asthma first aid while you wait.
Asthma first aidChoose a topic to see what is involved, what it costs, the questions people ask most, and how to book.
Asthma causes the airways to narrow, leading to wheeze, cough, chest tightness and breathlessness. Good asthma control means few symptoms, little need for a reliever and normal activity.
Treatment usually involves a preventer or anti-inflammatory reliever, depending on your plan.
If you need your reliever more than twice a week, it may not be.
Some do; others continue into adulthood.
COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and causes ongoing breathlessness, cough and phlegm, usually after years of smoking. Spirometry confirms the diagnosis.
Quitting smoking, inhalers, vaccinations, pulmonary rehabilitation and a COPD action plan all improve wellbeing.
No, but treatment improves symptoms and slows decline.
An exercise and education program for lung conditions.
Many people do not use their inhaler correctly, which means less medicine reaches the lungs. A spacer helps with puffers and is recommended for most people.
Bring your inhalers so your technique can be checked.
Yes, a spacer helps most people using a puffer.
Wash in warm soapy water and air dry without rinsing.
Colds, flu, smoke, pollen and exercise can trigger flare-ups. Your action plan tells you when to increase treatment and when to seek help.
Thunderstorm asthma can occur in spring; people with hay fever should be prepared.
If symptoms are severe, getting worse quickly or the reliever is not helping: call 000.
Yes, flu vaccination is recommended for people with asthma and COPD.
Plain-language information to help you know what to expect and make informed decisions with your GP.
Relievers open the airways quickly during symptoms. Preventers reduce airway inflammation over time and need to be used every day as prescribed. Some people use a combined anti-inflammatory reliever.
Your plan will say which you use and when.
Common triggers include colds and flu, smoke, dust mites, pollen, mould, pets, cold air, exercise and some medicines.
Knowing your triggers helps you plan ahead.
During spring storms, pollen can trigger severe asthma, even in people with hay fever and no asthma history.
Have a plan, keep your reliever handy and stay indoors with windows closed during storms.
Pulmonary rehab programs combine exercise, education and support for people with COPD and other lung conditions.
They improve breathlessness, fitness and quality of life. Your GP can refer you.
Learn the 4 x 4 x 4 steps, then answer four quick questions about the last four weeks. This is a general guide based on national asthma guidelines and is not a diagnosis.
Stay calm and reassure the person. Do not leave them alone.
Give 4 puffs of a blue or grey reliever through a spacer, one puff at a time, with 4 breaths after each puff.
If there is no improvement, give 4 more puffs.
If breathing is still difficult, call 000 and keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until help arrives.
Test what you know about asthma and copd. Choose an answer to reveal the explanation.
Everyone with asthma should have a written action plan.
It tells you what to do when symptoms change.
A spacer is only for children.
A spacer helps most people using a puffer.
Needing your reliever more than twice a week can mean poor control.
It is worth an asthma review.
Information on this page is general, evidence-based and drawn from Australian health authorities and professional guidelines, including:
Morisset Doctors advertises its services in line with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and AHPRA's Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service. We do not use testimonials, offer inducements, or make claims about outcomes. Individual results and experiences vary. Please talk to your GP about your own situation.
Needing a reliever more often suggests poor control.
For everyone with asthma or COPD.
Asthma first aid (adults), repeated until help arrives.
Review your action plan at least yearly.
Your care can involve more than one person. Choose a part of the care team to see how it fits together.
Every GP at Morisset Doctors can help with asthma and copd. These team members list it among their interests.
Chronic and complex care, geriatrics, mental health, skin cancer medicine and women's health.
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Skin checks and procedures, geriatric medicine, paediatrics, chronic conditions and men's health.
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Women's health, paediatrics, geriatric medicine and chronic disease. Taking new patients.
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Women's health, children's health, pregnancy care and preventive care. Taking new patients.
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Holistic, evidence-based care with an international perspective, for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
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Women's health, respiratory medicine, rheumatology and palliative care. Speaks English, Tamil and Sinhala. Joining December 2026.
Book nowA little preparation gives you and your doctor more time for what matters. Your doctor will explain the options, benefits and risks, and only examine with your consent.
Book online at any hour, or call reception from 8:00am, Monday to Friday. New patients welcome.
If yours is not here, call (02) 4006 8222 and reception will help.
Consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients.
Yes.
Yes, everyone with asthma or COPD should have one.
Yes; bring your inhalers.
Flu, and pneumococcal and COVID-19 for some people.
Sit upright, use a reliever with a spacer, and call 000 if not improving.
