To ask the Minister of Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the use of spirometry equipment across primary care.

Spirometry is a key step in managing respiratory disease, ensuring the correct diagnosis and therapeutic/referral interventions. During the COVID19 pandemic provision of spirometry in primary/community settings was reduced.

Under current UK Infection Prevention Control (IPC) guidance Spirometry is now not considered to be an aerosol generating procedure (AGP) and therefore level 1 PPE should be worn, namely, a fluid resistant surgical mask (rather than high grade Personal Protective Equipment) would constitute sufficient airway protection for the healthcare worker supervising the spirometry procedure.

Consequently, as primary care healthcare workers are not routinely fit tested and provided with high grade PPE (eg FFP3 and Type II Respirators) this has the potential to significantly increase the level of spirometry possible in primary care facilities for patients experiencing respiratory symptoms or those already diagnosed and who require ongoing reviews.

Before spirometry is performed by Primary Care practices they should ensure that they review the Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Respiratory illnesses guidance. General IPC considerations for clinical areas should be considered and include ensuring good air circulation. Those responsible for providing spirometry are required to have risk assessed the process and ensured that all aspects are safe for both staff undertaking and patients attending the testing.

Practices in Northern Ireland also have the opportunity to contract to provide the Northern Ireland Local Enhanced Service (NILES) Chronic Respiratory Conditions. This NILES amongst its aims is to reduce pressure on secondary care and improve the long-term health and well-being of patients suffering from Asthma and COPD. The use of spirometry to diagnose and manage the ongoing care of this cohort of patients will increase as a result.