Have your say - Spirometry Service (Halton and Warrington)

The NHS is making changes to the way that Spirometry services are delivered in Halton and Warrington we want to know your views on this topic.  

Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out in one forced breath. A minimum of three manoeuvres are required. It's carried out using a small piece of equipment called a spirometer.  

Spirometry services in Halton and Warrington have been performed by a nurse or doctor in GP surgeries, but in future they will be performed and interpreted by accredited staff from Warrington and Halton Hospital Teaching NHS Foundation Trust with clinical oversight provided by a Senior Respiratory Physiologist. A further change is that patients who previously had to attend an annual Spirometry Diagnostic Test will now only perform the test once every three years, unless there is a significant clinical deterioration.  

It is recognised that the historical work in performing Spirometry across Practices at that time was the most appropriate, however, things have changed significantly immediately prior to and during the pandemic. A new fit for purpose service delivery model is now required which reflects both the Cheshire and Merseyside ICB preferred approach as well as providing the capacity to clear the extensive backlog of Spirometry for COPD registered patients as well as those with a current unconfirmed diagnosis across Halton and Warrington. There are therefore only a few sites that can now host the service after 1st April 2023.  

 

For Halton they are: 

Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre on Caldwell Road (Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) – Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) and  

Halton Health Hub Runcorn Shopping City https://www.shopping-city.co.uk/halton-health-hub-opens/  

In Warrington they are: 

Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub on Jubilee Way (Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub • Livewire (livewirewarrington.co.uk)) 

Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub on Barrow Hall Lane (Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub • Livewire (livewirewarrington.co.uk)) and  

Bath Street Health & Wellbeing Centre on Legh Street (Bath Street Health & Wellbeing Centre :: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust (whsthkbss.nhs.uk)) 

Woolston Neighbourhood Hub on Hall Road https://livewirewarrington.co.uk/leisure/leisure-centres/woolston-neighbourhood-hub/  

 

For more information about either venue, please click on the links above. 

To ensure there is as much patient choice as possible any patient from Halton and Warrington can attend any of the above venues.   

Each of the above venues is on a main bus route, has free car parking, has clinic rooms adjacent to other health services and meet Infection Prevention Control requirements (in terms of six air room changes per hour either through air handling units or hepa air filters).  

Give us your views 

It is important that when we are developing the new service we take into account your views.   

We would be grateful if you could complete this brief online survey to let us know how you feel about the changes to Spirometry Service. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/spirohalwarr  

We will be hosting an online focus group if you would like to give your views this way.  It will be held on Wednesday 26th April at 1pm on Microsoft teams.  To register your place please contact our local engagement team via cmicb-war.halccg.commseng@nhs.net 

If you would like to speak to someone to give your feedback please email our local engagement team via the above email address and we will arrange this. 

We are gathering views on the new services from Friday, March 24th until Monday, May 15th 2023.  We will also ensure that there is ongoing patient experience when the new model is up and running. 

For more information please visit https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-place/halton/have-your-say-spirometry-service-halton-and-warrington/  

Please note, this information and survey are about the development of the new Spirometry service. It doesn't relate to your individual appointments or other services you might be accessing, so please do not contact your GP Practice about this engagement. If you have any questions at all, please contact Katie Horan or Matthew Roberts via cmicb-war.halccg.commseng@nhs.net  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spirometry?

Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out in one forced breath. A minimum of 3 manoeuvres are required. It's carried out using a small piece of equipment called a spirometer.

What Changes are being made to the Spirometry Services?

Spirometry services in Halton and Warrington were performed by a nurse or doctor in GP surgeries, but in future they will be performed and interpreted by accredited staff from Warrington and Halton Hospital Teaching NHS Foundation Trust with clinical oversight provided by a Senior Respiratory Physiologist.

A further change is that patients who previously had to attend an annual Spirometry Diagnostic Test will now only have the test performed once every three years unless there is a significant clinical deterioration.

Why Have changes been made to the Spirometry services?

New national guidance advocates that all Spirometry must be performed and interpreted by Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology accredited staff and Cheshire and Merseyside ICB’s preferred model of choice is centred upon delivery on a PCN footprint. This coupled with the fact that there is very limited estate available across Primary Care together with the fact that 40 Spirometry’s will need to be performed on a daily basis to meet the required levels of demand means that only a few sites can host the service going forwards.

All the venues are on a main bus route, have free car parking, clinic rooms adjacent to other health services and meet Infection Prevention Control requirements (in terms of six air room changes per hour either through air handling units or hepa air filters).

Where can I access Spirometry services in future?

In Halton the venues are:

  • Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre on Caldwell Road
  • Runcorn Shopping City Halton Health Hub

In Warrington they are:

  • Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub on Jubilee Way
  • Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub on Barrow Hall Lane
  • Bath Street Health & Wellbeing Centre on Legh Street
  • Woolston Neighbourhood Hub on Hall Road
Can I choose which venue I attend for Spirometry Services?

Yes. As a Patient who accesses Spirometry Services, you will be able to choose which of the above venues you visit. It doesn't matter if you are a resident of Halton or Warrington, you can attend Spirometry Services at whichever venue is most convenient.

How will I get to my appointment if I am housebound?

As with other diagnostic tests, patients/carers will be able to book PTS for transportation to the venue of their choice.

How will the new service know I am due a Spirometry?

Due to the pandemic, there has been no spirometry across Primary Care for three years. This has resulted in a large backlog of patients primarily with COPD across both Warrington and Halton. Clinically an approach has been agreed to Risk Stratify patients, so we identify the patient cohorts that need to be seen first etc. Your Practice will refer you at the appropriate time and then you will be contacted by Warrington and Halton Hospital’s Physiology Department who will be undertaking the Spirometry at your chosen venue.

What times will be available for me to book a Spirometry?

The service initially will work Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm.

What will happen to my Spirometry result and who will talk to me about the result and any follow up actions required?

Your result and report will be sent back to your GP for actioning, though in some instances there may be a requirement for you to be followed up by a Respiratory Consultant at the hospital.

Should I talk to my GP Practice about the changes to Spirometry Services?

This engagement is all about the development of the new Spirometry service. It isn’t anything to do with your individual appointments or other services you might be accessing, so please do not contact your GP Practice about this engagement.

Who should I contact to talk about the engagement work on Spirometry Services?

If you have any questions at all, please contact Katie Horan or Matthew Roberts via cmicb-war.halccg.commseng@nhs.net.

How long will it take to complete the survey?

Not long. It’s a very short survey with only a few questions. You are welcome to write as much or as little as you’d like. We really look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I don’t like completing surveys, can I speak to a person instead?

Yes. You are very welcome to sign up for our online focus group which will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 26 April at 1pm on Microsoft Teams. To book your place and receive details of how to join the online meeting, please e-mail cmicb-war.halccg.commseng@nhs.net.