CDC Breathlessness (NL & NEL)

Definition/Description

No Definition/Description Listed

Red Flag Symptoms

No Red Flag Symptoms Listed

Guidelines on Management

Please note the tests below under GP responsibilities can be undertaken in either GP practice, CDC or acute setting (or in the case of 24 hours BP, through Community Pharmacy) at the discretion of the referring GP

Responsibilities CDC Basket Name To include
GP GP Diagnostic bloods FBC (eosinophils, ferritin/Iron status), UEs, LFTs, TFTs (If bloods have been taken within the last 3 months, they do not need to be repeated)
GP Cardiac Investigations 24hr BP, ECG, Pro BNP
GP Respiratory Investigations 2-week peak flow testing, spirometry + reversibility with bronchodilators, FeNO, CXR
GP GP Imaging requesting CT (NL only), HRCT (NL only)
Respiratory Investigations (CDC setting)
Specialist Input Imaging CXR, CT (NL only), HRCT (NL only)
Specialist Input Full lung function test Spirometry & bronchodilator reversibility test (BDR), lung volume measurement, gas transfer, FeNO
Specialist Input Measuring Oxygen

Pulse oximetry
Specialist Input Measuring exercise capacity 6-minute walk test
Respiratory Investigations (Acute setting)
Specialist Input Full lung function test Respiratory muscle strength, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels, Bronchial challenge testing
Specialist Input Measuring oxygen Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) assessment
Specialist Input Sleep study
Overnight oximetry
Limited respiratory sleep study, watch PAT (Castle Hill only)
Specialist Input Measuring oxygen Blood gas test
Specialist Input Measuring exercise capacity Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX)
Specialist Input Visualisation and Sampling Bronchoscopy, EBUS, Imaging guided lung biopsy (pleural CT)

 

Referral Criteria/Information

No Referral Criteria/Information Listed

Associated Policies

Continued continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) Global Sleep studies Global

Specialties

Community Diagnostic Centre North Lincolnshire Community Diagnostic Centre North East Lincolnshire

Places covered by

  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire

Hospital Trusts

Author:
Date created: 11/07/2025, 07:08
Last modified: 26/08/2025, 11:40
Date of review: