25 June 2012
This year, the theme of World Spirometry Day which is on Wednesday 27 June, is reminding people all around the world that it only takes 10 minutes to check your lungs. The tests are available throughout the day to anyone who has not had one, or who has not had one in the last 5 years, in the Clinical Investigations Department at the Hospital (upstairs in Outpatients) between 9 am and 6:30 pm.
The 2012 campaign coincides with the Olympic Games and aims to encourage people to exercise and look after their lungs regardless of their age or physical ability.
Andrew Norman, head of clinical investigations at the General Hospital, the department where Spirometry tests are carried out said "Spirometry testing is a first step in screening your lungs to see how healthy they are, and whether there may be any problems.
"We had a great response to the offer of free lung tests when this was last offered in 2010, and we hope Islanders will come to see us to have their lung function tested. We are only one of hundreds of places who are offering tests to mark the day, and in total, tens of thousands of tests were carried out.
"Spirometric testing is like an MOT for the lungs. It gives people valuable early information about potentially serious, but largely preventable diseases such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In particular, having a spirometry test performed to screen for lung disease is recommended for those over 40 or current or former smokers.
“Once someone has filled in a quick questionnaire and had their test, if it looks clear, they will be told that, and if for any reason, any issues arise because of it, we will give an individual a letter to give to their GP so they can discuss this with them."
In Jersey, it is estimated that 3,000 individuals have the lung condition known as COPD however; many may not yet be experiencing symptoms of the condition and therefore remain undiagnosed. COPD limits airflow to the lungs but early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease. HSSD have identified ways of improving services available for islanders with COPD and hope to implement a range of community based initiatives in 2013.
The day before World Spirometry Day, on 26 June, HSSD staff will be invited to come for screening.
Staff at RBC in Jersey are also getting involved in checking their lung health later in the week. Spirometry testing will be offered by the clinical investigations team at the Hospital to staff at all three RBC locations, at La Motte Chambers, and Bath Street and Broad Street on 29 June.
Keith Pearse, Head of HR from RBC said "Offering employees a lung function test is part of our on-going commitment to employee health. Our health and wellbeing programme takes a proactive approach by focusing on preventative measures to improve employee health, which in turn enhances productivity and engages the workforce."
Throughout the year, Islanders can also attend the Respiratory Information mornings run by the Jersey Asthma and Respiratory Society where spirometry checks are offered every Saturday morning.
Anyone who would like a free spirometry test on 27 June, who has not had one, or has not had one in the last 5 years, can visit the Clinical Investigations Department at the Hospital (upstairs in the Outpatients Department) between 9 am and 6:30 pm.
Lung Facts
- the lungs are the largest organ in the body
- the tiny air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, would fill the space of a tennis court if they were opened and laid out flat
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