Lung Function

Welcome to the Lung Function service

The lung function department undertakes several assessments to aid diagnostics of respiratory abnormalities, monitor response to therapies and medication, or to assess the risk to individuals to undergo procedures such as surgery. The department provides a range of diagnostic tests for both outpatients and inpatients referred to the service.

The department provides a range of services; the main tests assess lung capacity and how easily air passes in and out of your lungs. The tests can also determine how efficiently your lungs take up oxygen from the air.

The tests we offer in the Lung Function Department include spirometry, lung volumes, gas transfer measurement, bronchodilator assessment, exercise testing, tests of bronchial responsiveness, fitness to fly testing, respiratory muscle strength, allergy skin testing and ambulatory and long-term oxygen therapy assessment.

Preparing for your appointment

It is important that you are well enough to perform the required test. If you have any of the following in the week running up to your appointment, please contact the department:

• Recent onset of cough/cold
• Raised temperature/fever
• Current / resolving chest infection
• Diarrhoea and/or Vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms
• Recent admission to hospital
• Surgery in the 4 weeks prior
• Cardiac symptoms in the 4 weeks prior

If you are not currently well or unsure if you will be able to perform the test, please contact the department. We will aim to assist you and reschedule where necessary.

Some tests may require you to stop taking some of your medication, so please check your appointment letter for details.

What will the tests involve?

Using a small mouthpiece, you will be asked to breathe in and out of one or two different machines. The procedures are very simple and painless and no more complicated than blowing out forcefully or holding your breath for a few seconds.

During the test, we may ask you to take some medication for us to investigate the effect on your breathing. This is a common procedure and does not necessarily mean that you will be prescribed the medication. You may also have a skin test to find out if you have any allergies. We may need to take a small sample of blood from your earlobe to measure blood oxygen levels. Some patients may also need an exercise test.

The tests normally take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of tests that your doctor has requested. Part of this time may involve you waiting for any medication we administer to have its full effect.

Who will conduct my tests?

All tests are performed by a team of registered Healthcare Scientists and Healthcare Science Practitioners in a centre recognised for its expertise in teaching and training. If a trainee Healthcare Scientist performs your tests, you can be assured that they will be supervised by a highly competent member of staff.

Oxygen Service

Some patients need home oxygen if their condition causes them to have low oxygen levels. The oxygen service assesses and reviews patients who require oxygen at home for a range of conditions. Our specialist service offers treatment and support to ensure patients can continue to live a normal life with their oxygen equipment.

What happens following my test?

The results will be sent back to the doctor who referred you to the department on the same day of testing. You may be sent another appointment to discuss the outcome of the test results with the referring consultant, or the outcome of the tests may be forwarded to your GP.