Your child has been referred to NICS to have lung function tests. The information below describes what will happen when your child attends. If your child is 16 or over, we will need their permission to discuss the appointment with you.

You will receive a text with instructions on where to come for the test. If you require any further information, please contact the respiratory admin team on 01932 503 604 – Opt 1

Do I need to bring anything?

Please bring all inhalers and spacers to the appointment (if your child has them).

Important: Do not stop any medication but try to avoid taking the blue inhaler (Salbutamol) for 6 hours before the appointment. If this is not possible, let the clinician know on arrival what time your child last took their inhaler. 

The person bringing your child should have ‘parental responsibility’ for them. This means they are the one with the legal rights, responsibilities, duties, power and say in making decisions for the child

Appointment Process

Your child will have their height and weight taken first and a brief history of their symptoms

Spirometry

This is a common lung function test. The appointment takes between 25 and 45 minutes. It looks at how fast your child can blow air out of their lungs. Your child will be asked to breathe in fully and then blow out as hard and long as they can through a mouthpiece. A machine will record their efforts and encourage them to try their best with graphics such as blowing all the fluffy seeds off a dandelion. 

Reversibility Testing

Sometimes after Spirometry your child may need a reversibility test to see the effect of Salbutamol (the blue inhaler) on their airways. Your child will be given 4 puffs of Salbutamol, wait for 15 minutes and then do the Spirometry test again 

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)

Your child may also be referred for this test which measures inflammation in the airways. This appointment takes 15 minutes. Your child will inhale deeply through a special mouthpiece then blow out slowly and steadily as if they are cooling down a cup of hot chocolate. The machine uses animations to help achieve the result and they can have multiple attempts 

Getting the results

The results for the tests will be sent to your GP between 2-3 weeks following the test. The clinician who performs the test will not be able to give you any results on the day.