Spirometry

Guidance was published in April 2021 regarding the reinstatement of spirometry services during and post-COVID-19. The guidance aims to minimise risk to patient and healthcare professional.

Our Spirometry Q&A may help answer some of your questions.

Spirometry is one of the most common of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs), measuring lung function, specifically the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is an important tool used, in combination with the clinical picture, for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.

Spirometry National Register

The National Register is the list of practitioners and operators who have demonstrated their competence in spirometry.  The National Register enables transparency within the NHS and to the public about the competence of healthcare professionals to perform and/or interpret spirometry. This list already exists and many healthcare professionals are already on it after undertaking training in recent years. 

The Document "Improving the Quality of Diagnostic Spirometry in Adults" which discusses the National Register for Spirometry is a best practice recommendation. Performing diagnostic spirometry without evidence of competence after 2021 may lead to issues with bodies such as CQC.

How to become certified in spirometry and listed on the National Register

Since April 2020, The National Register is managed and maintained by the Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology (ARTP).