Spirometry performance must be quality assured and should therefore only be performed by healthcare professionals who are appropriately trained, certified and able to demonstrate ongoing competency1.
The ARTP Spirometry Certification is the only nationally recognised certification in the performance and interpretation of spirometry, and consequent entry onto the Spirometry National Register, and is supported by the Care Quality Commission2.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the date of entry on to the Spirometry National Register for practitioners performing quality assured diagnostic spirometry was 31st March 2020. Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic this date has changed and is subject to confirmation by NHS England. This statement will be updated when further information is available.
The Spirometry National Register is the list of practitioners and operators who are certified and demonstrate ongoing competence in the performance and/or clinical reporting of spirometry. The National Register is not mandatory but it ensures that all practitioners involved in spirometry have their skills assessed and are certified as competent. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has indicated that they will check on the quality of spirometry and will take into account whether staff performing spirometry are on the Spirometry National Register when assessing their competence’.
Please read the following documents for more information
1NHS England and NHS Improvement (2020). ‘Spirometry commissioning guidance’ available at: www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/spirometry-commissioning-guidance.pdf
Section States: 1.3 National investment
The NHS Long Term Plan commits to improving the quality and reducing variation of spirometry testing. The Long Term Plan Implementation Framework14 is a national support tool to help local systems in developing their strategic plans. The framework asks local systems to have plans to support local identification of respiratory disease and increase associated referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation services for those who will benefit, particularly for the most socio-economically disadvantaged groups who are disproportionately represented in this patient cohort. From 2020 – 2024 there will be targeted investment for local systems to train existing staff in quality assured spirometry, supported through primary care network training hubs.
Page 10 of the above document also adds:
2Care Quality Commission (2021). ‘GP mythbuster 83: Spirometry in general practice' available at: www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbuster-83-spirometry-general-practice