Lung function tests
Visitor Information
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The lung function service offers a comprehensive range of lung function and exercise tests which are used as part of the diagnosis and management of diseases involving the lungs. Our service offers tests to inpatients and outpatients. We do not accept direct GP referrals, but referrals can be made from other NHS trusts. We perform around 6500 tests per year, with laboratories on each of our three main hospital sites. The standard tests we perform are spirometry and assessment of response to inhalers, assessments of the lung capacity and gas transfer efficiency. More complex assessments can include respiratory muscle assessments, skin allergy testing, assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness, home oxygen assessments and exercise tests to look at cardiorespiratory response to exertion.
Conditions we treat
Although many of our patients are undergoing investigations specifically for lung disease, our tests can be requested for a wide range of reasons, including surgical work-up, preparation for other interventions such as bone marrow transplant or chemotherapy, or if a patient with a non-respiratory condition is experiencing symptoms of breathlessness or starting treatment that could affect the lungs.
Treatments we offer
The lung function department is a diagnostic service and does not offer treatments. The results for our tests are used by the referring doctors to identify disease and inform treatment. We may perform repeat measurements to monitor disease progression, or assess response to treatment.
Clinics
Lung function lab at Charing Cross Hospital
Address
Lung Function Lab,
5th floor,
North Wing,
Charing Cross Hospital
Phone
020 3311 7180
Please be aware that if we are testing patients we may not be able to answer the telephone. All lines have an answerphone which is checked frequently throughout the day, so please leave us a message and we will come back to you as soon as we can.
Opening hours
8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday - Friday
Lung function lab at St Mary's Hospital
Address
Lung Function Lab,
Chest and Allergy Department,
Mint Wing,
St Mary's Hospital
Phone
020 3312 6022
imperial.smhlungfunctionlab@nhs.net
Opening hours
8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday - Friday
Lung function lab at Hammersmith Hospital
Address
Lung function lab and exercise testing,
Main Outpatient Department,
Ground Floor,
A block, Hammersmith Hospital
Phone
020 3313 2352
Please be aware that if we are testing patients we may not be able to answer the telephone. All lines have an answerphone which is checked frequently throughout the day, so please leave us a message and we will come back to you as soon as we can.
imperial.hhlungfunctionlab@nhs.net
Opening hours
8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday - Friday
Meet the team
Head of department
Hannah Tighe
Lead for St Mary's Hospital lung function
Sophia Martin, principal clinical physiologist
Lead for Hammersmith Hospital lung function
Heidi McKernan, chief clinical physiologist
Patient information
The nature of our tests mean that they will always be face to face appointments, with one of our clinical physiologists. Patients can be accompanied to the department, but only the patient will be permitted in the testing environment, except in exceptional circumstances where agreed in advance.
An information sheet will be sent out with the appointment letter, but if you have had any recent surgery, heart problems or chest infections please contact the department to check whether you should still attend the appointment.
If you take regular medication, particularly for your breathing, please bring a list with you. You may be required to withhold inhalers or antihistamine medication prior to your appointment. This will usually be communicated to you at the time of booking, but please contact us to check if you are unsure. We ask that you avoid eating a heavy meal for a couple of hours before you come for the test, but you do not need to fast. If you have any other questions before your appointment, please contact the department directly and we will be happy to answer your questions.
At your appointment
At your appointment you will be asked to perform a series of tests designed to measure your airway function, lung capacity and efficiency. Depending on the number of tests requested, appointments can last from 15 minutes to 2 hours, but the standard length of test is 30-60 minutes. When you arrive, we will need to ask you some questions about your recent medical history to make sure it is safe to perform the test. We will measure your height and weight and check your resting oxygen levels using a probe on your finger. For some tests it may be necessary to take a small sample of blood from your fingertip. All of the test procedures will be explained to you as we go, and there will be opportunities for you to rest between tests and have a drink of water if required.
After your appointment
We send the results of the lung function test to the healthcare professional who requested them. The information we get from the measurements has to be interpreted alongside other tests that you may have had (e.g. x-rays, scans and blood tests) so we will not be able to give you the results on the day. Once your results have been reviewed by the referring team, they will contact you as required to discuss the results.
Patient information leaflets
- Ambulatory oxygen therapy
- Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)
- Hypertonic saline trial
- Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT)
- Lung function tests
- Nebulised antibiotic assessment
- Skin allergy test
Further information
Education and training
The department is accredited by the Scientist Training Programme (STP) and Higher Specialist Scientific Training Programme (HSST) and may be able to offer short placements to STP and HSST students requiring experience in the field of respiratory physiology. We also host students from St George’s University of London who are undertaking the Practitioner Training Programme (PTP).
Please contact 020 3313 2352 for further information.