From Saturday 1 August, Finchley Memorial Hospital CDC will implement a new referral form for its lung function service. The aim of the new form is to make it easier for GPs to complete and reduced the number of returned referrals due to the form being submitted incorrectly.

Where to find the form

NCL Global Documents > Investigations > Lung Function Test Referral - RF

Key changes

Additional guidance has been added to the form, on the recommended investigations and tests for asthma and COPD referrals to help ensure patients are referred for the correct assessment. In addition, the following bronchodilator assessment protocol has been introduced:

• Bronchodilator assessment will be performed regardless of whether an obstructive pattern is present on the baseline spirometry results.
• Administration of the bronchodilator will only be withheld if the baseline spirometry measurements are not reproducible.
• Bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) testing will not be performed if the patient has used bronchodilator therapy within the following timeframes prior to spirometry, as this may affect the reliability of pre- and post-bronchodilator measurements:
  • Short-acting bronchodilators (SABA): within 4 hours
  • Long-acting bronchodilators (LABA): within 12 hours
  • Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA): within 24 hours.

Patient Results

Test results are returned electronically to the referring clinician within 3-4 weeks. Reports are issued directly to GP practices via Docman Connect and include a respiratory physiologist’s interpretation to support clinical understanding.

For further information on the respiratory services provided at Finchley Memorial Hospital CDC including inclusions and exclusions for patient referrals refer to the Lung Function Tests: Finchley Memorial Hospital CDC service page.