The Respiratory Physiology department offers a range of diagnostic tests to assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating and monitoring a range of respiratory and sleep conditions.
The department has a dedicated team of respiratory physiologists who support the work of the consultants across the Trust, including referrals from many specialities, providing high quality tests performed in a supportive professional environment. The team tests inpatients and outpatients aged 16 and above. Referrals can be made by hospital doctors via Sunrise, and GPs may also refer for sleep studies.
The Respiratory Physiology department also supports student physiologists during their training by providing work placements. A student may perform tests with patients as part of their training, but they will always be supported by a senior member of staff.
Location
The Respiratory Physiology department is located in the following areas:
- Tunbridge Wells Hospital: Room 20, Outpatients, zone 1.
- Maidstone Hospital: Lung Function Room, Acute Stroke Unit (ASU), ground floor, purple zone.
- West Kent Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), Hermitage Court, Hermitage Road, Maidstone.
Service opening times
The department is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals, and seven days a week at the West Kent Community Diagnostic Centre. Some tests are only bookable on set days.
Services provided
Basic tests
- Lung function test (LFT) / pulmonary function test (PFT)
- Dynamic lung volumes (spirometry)
- Gas transfer (single breath TLco)
- Static lung volumes (body plethysmography)
- Trials before and after inhalers (reversibility test)
- Ward spirometry for inpatients
- Pulse Oximetry
Field exercise tests
Special tests
- Respiratory muscle strength testing (sitting, supine, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressures)
- Bronchial challenge test (mannitol)
- Hypoxic challenge test (Fit to Fly)
- Skin prick tests to common allergens
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing (FENO)
- Overnight oximetry
- Blood gas measurement (capillary)
Sleep tests
Sleep Studies / overnight oximetry
- Outpatient diagnostic sleep studies for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can be referred by hospital clinicians via Sunrise. GPs within Kent can refer via ERS and REGO
- Outpatient diagnostic devices include Watchpat ® 300 and SOMNOtouch™ Resp
- Inpatient sleep studies can be referred by hospital clinicians via Sunrise and use Viatom Checkme O2 pulse oximeter
Treatment
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
- Provision of an outpatient OSA treatment service for patients registered with a West Kent GP. Referrals for treatment made on Sunrise by a respiratory doctor
- Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)
- Referrals made via Sunrise from hospital clinicians
For CPAP or NIV patients who are having problems with the treatment or device: Please email mtw-tr.lungfunctionandsleep@nhs.net or call the department Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm, on 01622 224521. Please leave a voicemail and you will be called back.
Patient information leaflets
Popular patient information leaflets for respiratory physiology:
- Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
- Bronchial Challenge Testing
- Capillary Blood Gas Measurement
- Hypoxic Challenge Studies (fitness to fly)
- Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT)
- Driving regulations and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
- Respiratory Muscle Strength Testing
- Six Minute Walk Tests (6MWT)
Useful links
Contact
For more information about the Respiratory Physiology department and the tests it provides, please contact the team on 01622 224521 or 01892 634684.