GP focus with Dr Pat Haslam

Our GPs are an important part of Bay Health Care Partners and here our GPs and primary care colleagues have the opportunity to talk about issues and specialties that they are working on or interested in.

Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network recently held a Spirometry training day with 61 health professionals from primary care, local hospitals and the community who are involved in managing patients with long-term respiratory disease.

Dr Pat Haslam talks to us about the importance of the training day and spirometry – a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions

What is Spirometry?

Dr Haslam said: “Spirometry is a readily available test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions.  It is performed using a device called a spirometer, which is a small device which patients blow into and can capture a large range of information onto the computer.

“Spirometry can easily be performed by a nurse or doctor at your GP surgery, or it may be carried out during a short visit to a hospital or clinic.  As a Network, we feel that it is vitally important that we improve the quality of our diagnosis of respiratory conditions, high quality spirometry is an essential part of this.  This requires investment in training our colleagues to perform and interpret spirometry accurately”

Why spirometry is carried out?

Dr Haslam said: “Along with blood tests and chest x-rays spirometry is part of the basic assessment of patients with chronic respiratory symptoms such as breathlessness or cough.  It is also very helpful when patients with existing lung conditions see a deterioration in their symptoms.

“Spirometry is an essential part of the diagnosis of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring).  We can also see the effects of heart problems and obesity on patients’ lung function.

“If you've already been diagnosed with one of these conditions, spirometry may be carried out to check the severity of the condition or see how you're responding to treatment”

What happens at a Spirometry training session?

Dr Haslam said: “Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network regularly holds conferences and training days with colleagues from primary care, local hospitals and the community who are involved in managing patients with long-term respiratory disease.

“The Spirometry training session was held at the end of November and saw colleagues take part in the talks and workshops which looked at how to identify and diagnose respiratory disease, how to carry out a spirometry test, how to interpret results and treatment options.

“The multi-disciplinary team sessions are a great opportunity to share real-life case studies and learn the latest techniques and practices, as well as giving teams the chance to ask any questions and seek advice and support.”

Feedback from the Spirometry training session:

• “Excellent opportunities to ask questions throughout.”
• “Good to do case studies and discussion.”
• “Really good day, covered all aspects well.”
• “MBRN training days are invaluable.”

You can find out more about Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network at the following link https://www.baybreathing.com/