Cardiac and Respiratory Diagnosis :: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cardiology

From your GP

Your GP can directly refer you for an ECG or blood pressure monitor. If your GP has requested an open access ECG – you can attend the department between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. No appointment is needed. 

If your GP has referred you for a 24-hour ECG or echocardiogram, they are vetted before you are able to book an appointment. 

Once vetting has taken place you will receive a letter on how to book in for your test. This is via the choose and book service. 

From your consultant/ hospital doctor

Your consultant or hospital doctor can directly refer you for a test. Once we receive your referral, we will book you into the next available appointment and send you a letter. You will also receive a text message if you have provided us with a mobile number. 

You are unable to self-refer for any tests within the department. All appointments are booked in line with national targets. The average wait for most investigations is four weeks from referral. All patients needing an echocardiogram will be seen within six weeks of referral. 

Respiratory 

From your GP 

Your GP can directly refer you for a Spirometry if you live in North Liverpool. 

From your consultant/ hospital doctor

Your consultant or hospital doctor can directly refer you for a test. Once we receive your referral, we will book you into the next available appointment and send you a letter. You will also receive a text message if you have provided us with a mobile number. You are unable to self-refer for any tests within the department. 

All appointments are booked in line with national targets. The average wait for most investigations is four weeks from referral.

Cardiac investigations we perform

• 12 lead ECG 
• Ambulatory ECG monitoring (24-hour ECG, event monitoring, eclipse) 
• Ambulatory BP monitoring (24-hour blood pressure monitors) 
• Community ECG analysis 
• Tilt table testing
• Carotid sinus massage 
• Exercise tolerance testing 
• Transthoracic echocardiography
• Transoesophageal echocardiography
• Contrast echocardiography/ bubble study 
• Stress echocardiography 
• Pacemaker implantation
• Pacemaker follow-up 
• LINQ implant service.

Respiratory Investigations we perform

• Spirometry
• Pulmonary function testing
• End tidal CO2
• FeNo Testing
• Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing 
• Six-minute walk testing
• Bronchial challenge testing
• Saline challenge testing
• Muscle strength testing.

When you attend our department, you will be greeted by our reception staff who will book you in. You will then be called in for testing by a member of staff who will introduce themselves and will explain what the test entails and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Both male and female staff work in the department. If you would prefer a specific gender to perform your test, please inform the department prior to your appointment.

Once your test is complete, in most cases you will be free to leave the department to either go home or to the next area you have been advised to go to. Your results will be stored digitally and attached to your electronic notes. Your doctor will have access to this system. The department no longer provides paper results/ copies. 

Depending on the complexity of your test you will be seen by either a clinical physiologist or associate practitioner/ assistant technical officers. All staff have received enhanced training to be able to deliver the best possible patient care. 

As this is a teaching hospital you may be seen by a student. Students are easily identifiable by their yellow lanyard. Students will always be supported or supervised by a qualified member of staff, however if they are nearing the end of their training may work independently.