Lung function

[Petrie21]

I was informed by my gp this morning they no longer have to do lung function tests it a question and answer procedure ,unless they feel you are getting worse . Which I feel is great they can no longer pigeon hole us with numbers it’s now a 1 to 4 category based on my activities during the day and how we feel.He also told me I have gone from servere to moderate by not smoking and plenty of exercise in just 18 months .

[O2Trees]

Im glad this suits you Petrie21 but no, this is definitely not good. You have the choice not to ask about your numbers and just get general feedback on how you are - lots of people prefer to do this - but the information would be still there in your file if it's needed in the future.

But this decision not to test will most probably be the result of cuts in NHS treatment which we should be trying to resist. There are many such cuts happening at general practice level and in secondary and tertiary treatments plus prohibitions on prescribing items which would previously have been prescribed. More and more cuts are happening and I find this decision not to do regular testing quite disturbing.

[O2Trees in reply to O2Trees]

. . . and helpful to know.

[James48]

This is an interesting link about spirometry testing by GPs. It seems GPs will need certification to carry our spirometry tests by 2021

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/c...

[flicky1 in reply to James48]

What about the nurses that have taken over sprirometry in surgeries such as mine?

[Petrie21 in reply to flicky1]

It’s a nurse that used to do mine , it may not be all it might be mine saving money

[James48 in reply to flicky1]

There are health nurses trained to do spirometry's who are bought in by surgeries and can be more knowledgeable than GPs about COPD.

I speak from my own experience but it's down to each GP practice to decide on what services they can afford to buy in and prioritise.

[Jackieshep57 in reply to flicky1]

In my Dr surgery its always a nurse and never a doctor.

[flicky1 in reply to Jackieshep57]

Like mine 😁

[Badbessie]

I am in two minds about this. Personally I prefer not to have the spirometry test. I know how I feel and have the confidence not to need the test. However many have anxiety related problems and the test can be a reassurance that things are OK. There is also the problem that question and answer type examinations are very subjective and could lead to problems not being picked up at an early stage. I believe I am on with this but worry that it may not be the best course for others.

[O2Trees in reply to Badbessie]

They should do both BB - the fev1 doesnt tell everything about someone's health, and questions in the hands of a well trained nurse could be very helpful. Anyone can say they dont want to know but its important that the information is there is needed. And as stamford says below, cuts should be resisted.

[O2Trees in reply to O2Trees]

And anyone can refuse a test if they dont want one. The point is they should be offered.

[Badbessie in reply to O2Trees]

Yes I agree they should be there if needed and of course any cut in service or standard is worrying. I am waiting to go on a pain management programme. In order to go onto the waiting list I needed full lung function tests which were as I expected OK. In four weeks time I have my COAD review at my GPs. I have rang and asked is it needed as I have already been reviewed by Respiratory, physiotherapy, occupational therapists etc. The answer was yes. It was their review. To me it is a waste of time repeating tests I have already had. I think what I am trying to say is that repetition of tests that are not needed is perhaps part of the reason why people who do need them are not getting a standard of good service.

[O2Trees in reply to Badbessie]

Interesting, you could be right.

[stamford1234]

I too follow the it's how you feel school and I'm never completely happy with my spirometry results because my GP does it on a birthday basis. Mine is in October so I often am at the start of my Autumn exacerbation! As for a questionnaire, I don't think one could be devised for COPD. Everyone is different and everday is different. One day I could walk miles, another I get to pursed lips breathing to go to the loo. Smells like a cost cutting exercise and it should be resisted. We are already the poor relation regarding research. And if you have a progressive disease it can be motivating to hear that cutting out smoking, extra exercise etc has stopped the progression

[Petrie21 in reply to stamford1234]

I agree with you all but it’s ok by me I know how I feel .