Your Spirometry Test Instructions

What is Spirometry?

Spirometry measures how well your lungs are working. We will measure how much air you have in your lungs and will record you emptying your lungs at different speeds. This commonly requested due to:

  • To see if your symptoms are due to a problem with your lungs
  • To see if medication will make your breathing better

COVID-19 safety measures

If you have had covid in the last 4-6 weeks, please rearrange your appointment

If you have symptoms that you may think are COVID please rearrange your appointment BEFORE YOUR TEST

Preparation for your test

Before attending for your spirometry test please:

  • Avoid vigorous exercise for 30 mins before the test
  • Do no wear any tight clothing that may restrict your breathing
  • Try to avoid smoking on the day of the test
  • Do not eat a heavy meal, or drink alcohol on the day of the test
  • If you have had a chest infection in the last 6 weeks, please rearrange your appointment

Inhalers

If you have been given a blue inhaler (salbutamol), please avoid taking this in the 4 hours before if possible. DO not withhold this if you NEED to take it.

Don’t take your inhalers on the morning of the test and BRING ANY INHALERS YOU MAY HAVE TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

THE PROCEDURE

Two test will be carried out

  1. You will be asked to take a big breath in until your lungs are full, and to pinch your nose. You will be given a mouthpiece, which you will need to seal your lips round and then breathe out in a relaxed manner until your lungs are completely empty.
  2. For the second part of the test you will not need to pinch your nose. You will be given the mouthpiece, which you will need to seal your lips around and then breath out as hard and as fast as you can until your lungs are completely empty.

Each test will be perform a minimum of 3 times and you will be given a rest in between each attempt.

If at any time you feel that you are unable to continue, you must make the nurse aware of this.

The test may then be repeated 15 minutes after we have given you some medication to see if this helps your breathing.

You may be at the surgery for 45 minutes.

Your Asthma Review

Your annual asthma review is now due. We’d like you to make an appointment. This is an important part of looking after your health – even if you feel well.

Why do I need this review?

You should have check-ups at least once a year to see how well your treatment is working. These will include checking that you’re using your inhalers correctly and your asthma action plan is up to date.

What happens at the appointment?

This is a 15-minute face-to-face appointment with a practice nurse.

You will get support from the nurse for your asthma. This includes an action plan and education around:

  • how and when to use your asthma medicines (if on treatment)
  • how to monitor your asthma
  • ways to avoid triggers and reduce your symptoms
  • what do do if your symptoms get worse

Where can I have my review?

Appointments are available at:

  • Bloomfield Medical Centre
  • Grange Park Health Centre
  • Whitegate Health Centre*

Non-urgent advice: Book your appointment

Booking link: If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose a location, date and time that suits you.

Call us: Speak to our reception team on 01253 344544.


*Enhanced Access increases our appointment availability by providing booked appointment on evenings and weekends at Whitegate Health Centre. Only bookable by telephone. Learn more.
It’s your choice, though we do encourage you to attend. If you decide not to attend, please let us know so we can update your records and pause invitations for now.

If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose the option to decline.

You can also call us, email us, or contact us online. To view our contact information, click here.

Please let us know if you change your mind. You’ll still receive an invitation next year.

Questions?

Feel free to call us on 01253 344544 and speak to our reception team.

Your Hypertension Review

Your annual high blood pressure (hypertension) review is now due. We’d like you to make an appointment. This is an important part of looking after your health – even if you feel well.

Why do I need this review?

High blood pressure is very common and often has no symptoms.

If it’s too high, it can put extra strain on your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Over time, this can lead to serious problems like:

  • Heart disease or heart attacks
  • Stroke
  • Kidney disease
  • Vascular dementia

The good news? Lowering your blood pressure – even a little – can make a big difference.

Your annual review helps us keep you healthy and prevent these complications.

What happens at the appointment?

This is a 15-minute face-to-face appointment with a practice nurse.

They’ll check your blood pressure and may take blood samples.

You’ll have time to talk about:

  • Any treatment you might be on for this condition
  • Diet and lifestyle tips to help you manage your blood pressure
  • Any concerns or questions you might have about your condition

Where can I have my review?

Appointments are available at:

  • Bloomfield Medical Centre
  • Grange Park Health Centre
  • Whitegate Health Centre*

Non-urgent advice: Book your appointment

Booking link: If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose a location, date and time that suits you.

Call us: Speak to our reception team on 01253 344544.


*Enhanced Access provides booked appointment on evenings and weekends at Whitegate Health Centre. Only bookable by telephone. Learn more.
It’s your choice, though we do encourage you to attend. If you decide not to attend, please let us know so we can update your records and pause invitations for now.

If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose the option to decline.

You can also call us, email us, or contact us online. To view our contact information, click here.

Please let us know if you change your mind. You’ll still receive an invitation next year.

Questions?

Feel free to call us on 01253 344544 and speak to our reception team.

Travel health clinic

The practice offers a travel health clinic with some of our nursing team to provide some vaccinations which are free on the NHS.

This service is for patients of Bloomfield Medical Centre only. This is not a private service.

Check if you need vaccinations

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. Learn more.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Make an enquiry

You should provide 4 to 6 weeks notice before you travel.

You will need to complete a questionnaire before we can make you an appointment. You can complete the questionnaire online which we will text to you. Please contact the practice on 01253 344544 to request the link in a text message.

If you would prefer to complete and return a paper questionnaire, click here.

Your Complex Vascular review

You have been invited to book your annual Complex Vascular review. This review is done in 2 parts.

You have received this invitation because you fall onto one or more of the following chronic disease registers:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF)
  • Heart failure (HF)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – Stages 4 and 5

If you have any other cardiovascular conditions, these will be reviewed within these appointments.

Annual reviews are important for your continuing health.

What happens in my appointment?

Part 1 – Workup

You will see a healthcare assistant or a practice nurse. They will take basic observations and any blood tests that you are due for your conditions(s).

They will then book you a face-to-face appointment with an advanced clinical pharmacist to review your results and your condition in more detail.

This is a 15-minute face-to-face appointment.

Part 2 – Review

Our advanced clinical pharmacists will talk to you about your symptoms and how you are managing with your condition.

You may also have a discussion around any new or current medications and treatment plans. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your condition.

This is a 15-minute face-to-face appointment.

Where can I have my review?

Appointments are available at:

  • Bloomfield Medical Centre
  • Grange Park Health Centre

Non-urgent advice: Book your appointment

Booking link: If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose a location, date and time that suits you.

Call us: Speak to our reception team on 01253 344544.
It’s your choice, though we do encourage you to attend. If you decide not to attend, please let us know so we can update your records and pause invitations for now.

If you received a text or email invitation with a link “to respond”, click onto it. Then enter your date of birth and choose the option to decline.

You can also call us, email us, or contact us online. To view our contact information, click here.

Please let us know if you change your mind. You’ll still receive an invitation next year.

Questions?

Feel free to call us on 01253 344544 and speak to our reception team.

Cardiovascular reviews

You have been invited to book your annual cardiovascular review with a practice nurse.

You have received this invitation because you fall onto one or more of the following chronic disease registers:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (STIA)

What happens in my appointment?

You will have basic observations taken (e.g., blood pressure, pulse, body mass index), investigations (e.g., blood tests) and a discussion around your diet and lifestyle.

You may also have a discussion around any current medications you are on.

This is a 15 minute review with a practice nurse.

How do I book my appointment?

If you have been sent a text message, this should contain a link allowing you “to respond”. Click on this link, enter your date of birth, and select the location, date and time you would like for your appointment.

You can also call us on 01253 344544 to book your appointment.

What if I don’t want to book?

It is important for your continuing health that this appointment is made. However, if you do not wish to have this appointment, please let us know. You can do this by: