Hi everyone, wonder if anyone can help me with this please. I was diagnosed with Asthma/COPD overlap in December. I was hospitalised in April due to chest infection. I was told at the time that I had been referred for a full lung function test. I had a follow up respiratory nurse appointment earlier this month and was advised that I should have already had lung function test. They advised they would have this up. As I still heard nothing I contacted the lung function test clinic who advised me that they had not received a referral! So I contacted the respiratory clinic who advised me that the referral was on the system. So I went back to the lung function test clinic who again advised me that they had not received a referral for me. So I went back to the respiratory clinic again and they said they would resend the referral. The lung function clinic has now received the referral but instead of it being dated from April they are only accepting the referral from today and that I will have to wait many months for an appointment! My complaint here is that I am being penalised for an error that has happened within the NHS…….any thoughts on how I should proceed with this please would be grateful, thank you
lost lung function test referral - Lung Conditions C...
lost lung function test referral
Speak to PALS at the hospital. They can be extremely helpful in sorting things and coming up with fair solutions.
Thank you Bevvy. I have just sent an email to PALS. Hopefully this will help 🤞. Thank you again 😊
Good advice- yes speak to the PALS team
l agree with Bevvy, PALS is your best bet as you’ve been treated unfairly xx
Thank you sassy59, I’ve emailed PALS so hopefully this will help. It’s so frustrating to be told that I have to go to the bottom of the waiting list when it’s the fault of the hospital
What or who is PALS Carole. Love to you and Pete xx.Sheila 💕
Hi Sheila, it’s the Patient Advice Liaison Service who offer support if you have any concerns with treatment etc. within the NHS. Hope that helps.
Love to you too, Carole xxxx❤️🤗🩷
Thanks Carole, I hadn't heard of them. You learn something everyday even though I'm 80 yrs young in 2 weeks lol 🤣👍xx.Sheila
Wishing you all the very best and the happiest of birthdays in two weeks time. ❤️
Love Carole xxx🩷
Thanks Carole can't believe I'll be 80..I look ok have all my senses no problems with my body or legs just on oxygen 24/7 and I can't accept it. Also I am still breathless on oxygen ,could be anxiety but I hate the cannula and the tank if I need to go out so I stay indoors. Im sure something other than my COPD is causing the breathlessness but no one is listening..Oh well just have to grin and bear it .xxsending love to you both. Xx.Sheila 👍🙏💕
You are remarkable and look amazing. I just wish you could get out more. Grab that oxygen tank and get outside when the sun is shining as you used to love going shopping and being out. I wish you well Sheila and think of you often. XxxCarole 🤗😘❤️
I was told by ILD nurses and others that oxygen doesn’t relieve shortness of breath,it protects your organs.
I go out with my oxygen concentrator and don’t care if people stare,it keeps me going.we go out to cafes and for meals. People are very helpful.
We went to Leeds on the train for my grandsons graduation.
People were so helpful to me,I was very grateful.
The only thing is it’s too heavy for me to carry.
I put it in the pocket of my walker,which helps my back pain,so we don’t have to carry the concentrator .
My clothes shopping is mostly online as I haven’t got the energy to browse.
Do you still look at Joe Browns ? I hope you’re as well as you can be x
Are our birthdays really so soon!! Have a very happy one Sheila 😊
I have to say I agree with Sassy, try and get out. I know how heavy those cannisters are, but have you tried using a trolley? Or do what I do and have somebody carry it for you! I have said to my granddaughter, Skye, that it is her job when we go out and she is more than happy to do so! I know you had a bad experience the last time, but if you go out for you, then you are totally in charge!
Wishing you all the very best and a Happy Birthday, Laurie xx🌼🌻💐🌻🌼
I won't rely on anyone I'm too independent so I stay at home. Happy you get out enjoy your trips..xx.Sheila
Happy 80th garshe(sheila) and many more to come . Hey average age is 104 now 🙂🍰🎂☕🌺xx
Not until Auh 5th but thanks xx.Sheila 🥰💞
My stepdaughters is that day but shes still under60 . xx
Good luck.
Take it up with PALS -can’t remember what that stands for but they support patients and take up issues on their behalf. There’s usually an office of some sort at the hospital. Google if necessary I guess. B
When you cannot get proper answers or as in your case very bad admin, PALS is the way to go. I have used them a few times with good outcomes. I would always phone rather than email though, more personal.
Thank you. I’ll follow up with a phone call next week if haven’t heard back from them 😊
have you considered ringing the consultants secretary.
They always been helpful when I’ve rung them ,usually as a last resort.
Warning,they usually have answer phone on,but do get back.
I rang on Monday and got an email in the afternoon. Hope this helps
That’s another part of the problem, I haven’t been allocated a consultant yet either, no one seems to know anything so hopefully PALS will come back to me soon. It annoys me because stress is the last thing that you need as a patient with lung disease
That’s horrid.
All I can suggest is asking to speak to respiratory secretaries,
Or Pals.
Tell them exactly how you feel. Don’t hide how upset you are xx
that’s the biggest problem the NHS has the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing and until they sort that out they will have all the problems that they have at the moment, it’s not about more money!
You are so right. When I was admitted to A&E everyone was absolutely amazing, couldn’t fault anyone or anything. My follow up phone call was good too. Then it all seemed to fall apart. No one seems to know where my CT scan results are going, been told 3 different things. I haven’t been allocated a consultant yet and my original lung function test referral has been lost meaning I have been put to bottom of waiting list. Quite stressful to be honest
Definitely contact PALS
While you wait for PALS to get back to you ring lung function and tell them you will accept an appointment at short notice. They always have cancellations as can’t do them when someone has a chest infection. Good luck you’re learning you have to be very proactive in your care.
Perhaps PALS can help u
Hello Topgunele, I see you have contacted Pals so maybe they might be able to solve more than one problem . I just had 5months before I was assigned a consultant . First things first the respiratory tests are number one. If this does not get a result then seek further advice. Can you go for a test at short notice ? that can get it quicker. They should be able to tell you exactly how long the wait is within reason. Best wishes
Hi thank you for your reply, and great advice. I don’t suppose you know how long the test takes? I feel like I’m in limbo at the moment and going around in circles so every bit of advice really does help, thank you ☺️
The test on the day usually takes around 30 minutes, but it gives a full picture of your lung function and can help vastly with diagnosis. Its a shame yours was delayed due to misadministration. Good luck
Hi. Does this include the test where you are in cubicle too? I’ve already had spirometry test but they want me to have the full lung function test
Yes it does I had one earlier this year I would say between thirty minutes to 45 . I cannot meet all the functions but enough to compare with others.
Thank you, that’s so helpful. I’m just wanting to know what my diagnosis is now as I’m being told so many different things. I think once you know for definite what you’re dealing with then you can start to accept it and deal with it. Thank you again 😊
I have had a lung condition since around 2008 and its been labled as many things but the treatment has always been the same inhalers of varied kinds . Now I am dealing with cancer in both lungs and Kidney possibly . I feel correct diagnosis is the most important thing in any illness. I agree once you know it is easier to accept and go forward even if its not all good news. 👍
Hi Katie. I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I hope you are getting the best treatment and support possible. Wishing you all the best ❤️xx
Consultant and lung function yesterday
Doc said that I have lost 8% of my lung function 
Lung Function Test
