Respiratory

What we do

Using specialised equipment we provide diagnostic investigations for patients to high quality standards to ensure accurate diagnosis. Results help identify and stage the severity of breathing disorders. Repeat testing over time, monitors response to treatment and disease progression. Patients can also be referred pre-operatively to assess how their breathing will cope during general anaesthetic or major surgery. 

Breathing tests include:

• Spirometry or flow volume loops which measure the speed and volume of air inhaled and exhaled They help to diagnose and stage airflow obstruction and upper airway disorders such as Goitre
• Reversibility studies help to differentiate between Asthma and COPD 
• Gas Transfer measures how efficiently the lungs work 
• Lung volumes measured by Body plethysmography or Gas dilution diagnose restrictive disorders such as Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Mannitol challenge tests help to confirm/exclude asthma 
• Respiratory muscle pressures and sitting/supine spirometry tests, identify respiratory muscle weakness
• Flight assessments identify patients who will require supplemental oxygen during air travel
• Fractional Exhaled Nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement monitors allergic airway inflammation, helping with asthma management
• Carbon monoxide testing

Exercise tests include:

• Six minute and shuttle walk tests identify exercise intolerance.

Diagnostic sleep studies screen patients who may have sleep disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Who we are

Alison O’Brien
Head of Service
Respiratory Physiologist

James Andrew
Respiratory Physiologist

Dylan Day
Trainee Respiratory Clinical Physiologist

Where we are based

The department is located in the Respiratory Assessment Unit in the Outpatient Department (on the mortuary corridor) within South Tyneside District Hospital. 

How you can contact us

• Email: alison.obrien8@nhs.net
• Email: james.andrew6@nhs.net 
• Telephone: 0191 4041000 extension 3201 or 3202
• Fax: 0191 2022166 (ARAS)

Address:

Lung Function and Sleep Department
Respiratory Unit 
Deans Wing
South Tyneside District Hospital
Harton Lane 
South Shields
NE34 0PL.

Useful links

• www.artp.org.uk

Overview

South Tyneside District Hospital 

The Acute Respiratory Assessment Service (ARAS) provides a specialist service for the assessment, management and treatment maximisation of patients with respiratory conditions who live in South Tyneside. The team works across both primary and secondary care liaising closely with GPs, primary care staff, community matrons and acute consultants to assess and treat patients in South Tyneside aiming to prevent hospital admission. Where patients are admitted to hospital with a worsening of their respiratory condition the service will aim to facilitate assisted discharge of patients from hospital and provide on-going community support in the form of home visits and monitoring.

Other services:

• Provision of patients for home oxygen therapy (on discharge from hospital only)
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Non-invasive therapy
• Outpatient nurse led clinics
• Nebuliser provision
• Education Programmes

Sunderland Royal Hospital 

We have an extensive inpatient and outpatient Respiratory medicine service within Sunderland Royal Hospital. 

E54 is our acute respiratory ward; it has 28 beds, accommodating both male and female patients with a variety of respiratory diseases. The ward offers an acute non-invasive ventilation service, with dedicated beds and highly skilled staff. 

The hospital also has a dedicated Chest Clinic in the main Outpatients department.

The Pulmonary Function department is located in the Chest Clinic and offers a wide variety of extensive lung function tests.

Our Respiratory Consultants help patients with a variety of Chest problems including, COPD, Asthma, IPF, Bronchiectasis, Lung cancer and Tuberculosis.

Our specialist nurses provide nurse led clinics every week including Smoking Cessation and a designated Learning Disabilities Clinic which has been adapted to patient needs. Our Specialist nurses also offer telephone advice and ward visits to support patients and staff.

The department also boasts a comprehensive sleep service with full diagnostic sleep studies and provision of CPAP therapy.

There are approximately 400 new lung cancer patients per annum – the LCNS offers ongoing support from diagnosis. There are four nurse led clinic’s per week plus support and advise within ward area for all patients with lung cancer.

Contact Us

South Tyneside District Hospital

• Telephone direct line: (0191) 4041062
• Bleep via switchboard: 50204 and 50205

Sunderland Royal Hospital 

• Chest Clinic: 0191 5699102
• Ward E54: 0191 5656256

Finding Us

South Tyneside District Hospital
Harton Lane
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE34 0PL

Ward 10 is located on the third floor of the Ingham Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields. NE34 0PL

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Ward E54 – located on E floor in main hospital (entrance via Kayll road main entrance)

Chest Clinic – allocated in general outpatients, entrance 5, Chester Wing.

Our Team

South Tyneside District Hospital

Respiratory Nurse Specialists

• Claire Southwick - Safe Care Lead
• Mandy Baker - Respiratory Nurse Specialist
• Tracey Brydon - Respiratory Nurse Specialist
• Lisa Green - Respiratory Nurse Specialist
• Jamie Mackintosh - Respiratory Nurse Specialist 
• Beverley Robson - Respiratory Nurse Specialist 

Anita Hall - Staff Nurse

Damielle Liddle - Health Care Assistant 

Jill Ingoe - Admin support

Lucy Blackburn - Admin support

• Dr Bone - Respiratory Consultant 
• Dr Lostarakos - Respiratory Consultant 
• Dr MacNair - Respiratory Consultant 
• Dr Shipley - Respiratory Consultant
• Dr Shah - Respiratory Consultant 

Matron- Sam Rump

Kerry Wanless - Ward 10 Manager

Josephine Turnbull - Deputy Ward Manager

Janice Smith - Deputy Ward Manager 

Dorothy Williamson - secretary 

Sunderland Royal Hospital 

• Sister Sharon Stothard – Respiratory Nurse / Chest Clinic Manger
• Sister Susan Pollock – Lead Lung Cancer Nurse
• Sister Mayflor Bernal – Ward Manager E54
• Samantha Rump - Matron
• Michelle Ferguson – Directorate Manager GIM
• Dr K K Sridharan – Clinical Lead
• Dr N Chamberlin – Respiratory Consultant
• Dr M Rangar – Respiratory Consultant