Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Hubs

What are Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs?

ARI Hubs are designed to relieve pressure on other parts of the local healthcare system, including Urgent Treatment Centres, A&E, and ambulance services. The service is intended to help patients (both children and adults) with suspected respiratory infections and showing symptoms of such, to access a face-to-face appointment, usually on the same day.

Who can access the ARI Hubs?These hubs are available to adults and children over the age of 5 years old with acute respiratory symptoms most likely due to infection. This can include exacerbation of existing underlying respiratory disease.

  • Acute/New respiratory symptoms of 10 days or less
    • Cough with or without sputum production
    • Shortness of breath
    • Difficultly breathing
    • Wheeze
  • Signs of infection
    • Temperature / fever / chills
    • Muscle aches
    • Lethargy / fatigue
    • Feeling generally unwell  

Questions we will ask before booking:

  • What are the symptoms?
  • When did they start?
  • Is this new or ongoing?
  • Are you getting worse, getting better, or stable?
  • Have you tested for COVID-19?
  • We will check for red flag symptoms (see below)

Who is not suitable?

  • Patients whose symptoms have been ongoing for than 10 days  
  • Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19
  • Patients presenting with red flags should be advised to either present at A&E or call an ambulance:
  • New onset confusion
  • Persistently high temperature
  • Drowsiness / Unconsciousness
  • Severe breathing difficulty – unable to speak properly
  • Blue discolouration to lips