Your First Contact with the Lung Clinical Nurse Specialist
This leaflet explains the role of the lung clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and gives a list of possible tests you might undergo during your treatment. It will help you to understand these investigations and the care that you will receive. If you would like any additional information, please speak to one of the doctors or nurses. They will be more than happy to help.
Clinical nurse specialist role
The role of the CNS within the respiratory or lung team is to provide support. There are five of us in our team and we work Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm.
- Anita Burnham, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Team Lead
- Erica Mason, CNS
- Cherry Spivey, CNS
- Kirsty Webb, CNS
- Sian Thomas-Cutts, Support Worker
Our telephone number is 01305 255289. If we do not answer the phone, please leave a message and we will aim to return your call within 24hrs. We have a joint email address; lungcancernursespecialists@dchft.nhs.uk
We work closely with other team members as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and meet weekly to discuss results and plan the treatment options which will then be discussed with you. You can request copies of your clinic letter if you would find this helpful. We can offer support to you and your family at this time, including by:
- Providing information and advice about any investigations and treatment required
- Coordinating investigations, results, treatment and appointments. Ensuring you get the care you need in an organised and efficient manner
- Talking to you about any concerns that you or your family may have in a confidential way
- Providing information about support groups
- Acting as a resource for further support or referral to other health care professionals for help with finances, diet, exercise, smoking, breathlessness, work etc.
During the investigation process we may need to do some different types of tests and investigations. We try to do as many as possible locally at Dorset County Hospital, Poole and Bournemouth, but sometimes we ask patients to go to Southampton if you need a particular investigation we don’t offer locally. If your CT scan has shown an area that looks abnormal, we may need to obtain a biopsy (small sample of tissue for examination under microscope) to assist with a diagnosis.
Investigations
Below is a list of our most common tests, investigations and types of biopsies. We have ticked the relevant box of the test we think you are most likely to have.
| Name and description | Tick if applicable |
| Lung Function – Dorset County Hospital A group of tests that assess how well the lungs work by measuring lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. | |
| PET Scan – Poole General Hospital This is similar to a CT scan but uses PET (Positron Emission Tomography), where small amounts of a radiolabelled glucose (a sugar solution taken up by the body that can be detected by the scan) are injected in to a vein. This enables very clear images of cell activity within the body to be seen. | |
| Bronchoscopy – Dorset County Hospital This is done by a Respiratory Consultant in the Endoscopy Department. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the throat and sedation given. A tiny flexible telescope is passed via the mouth or nose. This enables the Consultant to have a clear view of the airways and take a biopsy, if possible. | |
| CT Guided Lung Biopsy – Dorset County Hospital This procedure is done in the Radiology Department by a consultant radiologist. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area; the CT is used to guide them to the area of abnormality to take a tissue sample. | |
| EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound and Biopsy) – Dorset County Hospital Similar to a bronchoscopy, except the telescope device has an ultrasound attached, so that the Consultant can visualise the lymph nodes within the chest. Tissue biopsy can then be taken from the lymph node. | |
| Ultrasound Lymph Node Biopsy – Dorset County Hospital This procedure is done by a consultant radiologist, using an ultrasound machine to view the area. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area and then a specific needle is used to take a biopsy. | |
| Thoracoscopy – Dorset County Hospital This is done by a respiratory consultant in the Endoscopy Department. A thin device called a thorascope is inserted through the chest wall and is used to look at the lining (pleura) of the lungs, drain fluid and attempt to take a biopsy. An overnight stay is required after this procedure. | |
| Mediastinoscopy – Southampton University Hospital This procedure is done under general anesthetic by a consultant thoracic surgeon. It is a type of ‘keyhole’ surgery that allows doctors to look inside the chest. It can be used to take samples from enlarged lymph nodes. |
About this leaflet
Authors: Erica Mason, Alex Hillcox-Smith, Anita Burnham, Lung CNS
Written: May 2020
Updated and approved: November 2022
Review date: November 2025
Edition: v4
If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk
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