Spirometry
Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath.
It’s carried out using a device called a spirometer, which is a small machine attached by a cable to a mouthpiece.
Spirometry may be performed by a nurse or doctor at your GP surgery, or it may be carried out during a short visit to a hospital or clinic.
Spirometry can be used to help diagnose a lung condition if you have symptoms of a problem, or your doctor feels you’re at an increased risk of developing a particular lung condition.
For example, it may be recommended if you have a persistent cough or breathlessness, or if you’re over 35 and smoke.
Conditions that can be picked up and monitored using spirometry include:
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
Spirometry – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
CBC Health is a not-for-profit provider of community and primary care in the North-East of England. All surplus is reinvested into local primary care services.
Established in 2006 as a member organisation CBC Health supports federated General Practice in Gateshead developing innovative solutions to support resilient General Practice.
Our organisational divisions are structured to include urgent and unscheduled primary care, clinical and non-clinical locum cover, medicines optimisation and pharmacy services, practice management and at-scale general practice.
Respiratory Medicine
The Queen Elizabeth Respiratory team provides services for people with a wide range of lung problems.
We have an outstanding team of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and respiratory specialist Occupation Therapist. Our lung function laboratory provides comprehensive measurements of lung capacity and function. We work closely with our radiology, oncology and palliative care colleagues to provide a holistic and seamless service.
Our Respiratory ward at Queen Elizabeth hospital is Ward 9. The ward team is led by Sister Jane Rams, and is consistently among the best wards in our hospital for patient feedback and quality of care.
The QE Respiratory team are active in teaching and training of medical students and junior doctors. We take part in a number of research projects, and we aim to ensure that our patients are given the opportunity to take part in clinical trials wherever possible in order to improve the understanding and treatment of diseases of the lungs.
For more information, visit Respiratory Medicine | NHS Gateshead (qegateshead.nhs.uk)