In this service, we look after people who have problems with their lungs and breathing. We see patients with a variety of chest and lung problems. Most of these are long term problems. Our aim is to help people live well with their condition.
We see patients with a variety of chest and lung problems. Click on the buttons below to find out more.
What services do we provide?
We provide a range of different clinics to support with your ongoing care. Our services run from the Acute Respiratory Assessment Service (ARAS) in South Tyneside and the Chest Clinic in Sunderland:
We offer a range of lung function tests. This helps us to see how the lungs are working and how this affects your breathing. The results can help us to diagnose a problem and work out a treatment plan. By repeating tests over time, we can also monitor how well you respond to treatment. This helps us to see how your condition is progressing.
This is a new service which offers a ‘one stop shop’ to assess and treat any breathing problems you have. We work with local GPs and our community teams to deliver this.
We see people with a range of conditions that can affect their breathing. We may ask you to complete some tests before you see us in clinic. This is to assess your breathing or sleeping. Our clinics include:
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- support to stop smoking.
- review clinics to see how you are doing.
- pre op clinics to check your breathing before a big operation.
- support for people who live with a learning disability.
We help people understand more about their medicines and how to use oxygen to help them breathe. This includes any kit people need to use like a nebuliser. This is a machine that turns liquid medicine into a fine mist so people can breathe it in.
Our specialists work with ward staff to support people to get back home. We give advice and visit the wards to see patients with breathing or lung problems. This includes making sure patients go home with the right support in place.
We work closely with GPs and community staff to help people stay well at home. We will:
- visit you at home to monitor how you are doing.
- help you to learn more about your lungs and your disease so that you can manage it well.
- support you to increase your fitness and get stronger. We will help you to learn to exercise with less shortness of breath.
Exercising your lungs and your muscles helps you be more active. This will help you to do the things you enjoy more. Rehab may also reduce the need to visit the hospital.
We will guide you through your rehab journey.
Where will my treatment take place?
If you need to stay in hospital, this will be on the following wards:
- Ward 10 - South Tyneside (click here).
- Ward E54 - Sunderland (click here).
- Ward E55 – Sunderland (click here).
Our outpatient services run mostly from the ARAS Unit in South Tyneside and our Chest Clinic in Sunderland. We may see you in some of our other community locations.
We run outpatient clinics from lots of Trust locations (click here). You can find the details of these locations below and how to get here. Your appointment letter will let you know which location to go to.
Who will look after me?
A specialist team will look after you. This includes:
- Consultants
- Respiratory Nurse Specialists
- Respiratory Physiologists.
They are all are experts in breathing and lung problems.
Together, we will review your symptoms and agree a plan to look after you. As part of your ongoing care, we will monitor you with tests and scans. We may see you in person at a clinic or via a telephone or video appointment.
Where can I find out more?
Asthma and Lung UK – click here
Our senior team in Respiratory
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Clinical Director - Dr Mickey Jachuck
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Divisional Director – Sheena Fish
- Directorate Manager – Fiona McKinley
- Lead Matron – Beth Harris
