Our Services A - Z - Cardio-Respiratory Department
About the service
The Cardio-Respiratory Department provides a wide variety of cardiac and respiratory investigations to inpatients, outpatients and GP open access referrals for patients across the Merseyside area, the majority of our patients are adult, but we do also provide a paediatric range of services in conjunction with our Consultant Paediatricians.
The results we provide give concise and targeted information which doctors and other health practitioners can then utilise to manage a patient's condition.
- The Cardio Respiratory Department consists of a dedicated team of cardiac physiologists, assistant practitioners, assistant technical officers and administration and clerical support.
We provide services on both the Whiston and St Helens sites - with many tests available at both sites.
The department is already accredited by the British Society of Echocardiography.
- Being Referred to us
Your referring clinician may wish for you to have a cardiac or respiratory investigation to assist them with providing you with a diagnosis/explanation of your symptoms or simply for a routine check-up. Patients are referred from numerous services including GPs, Cardiology, Respiratory, Pre-Operative Services and any other area of the Trust
- What happens when you see us?
When you attend our department, you will be greeted by our reception staff who will book you in which will inform the relevant area of the department that you have arrived. The member of staff who will take care of you during the test will then call you into the specific room for your test. They will introduce themselves and will explain what the test entails and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
- What happens next?
Once your test is complete, in most cases you will be free to leave the department to either go home or to the next area you have been advised to go to.
Your results will be stored digitally and a paper copy will be sent to the doctor who has asked for the test. Sometimes doctors will note on your test referral that you should take the results back to them straight after your test.
- More Information
Every member of staff undergoes extensive and thorough training and quality assurance testing to ensure they are fully qualified to perform each test in their specific area. We constantly strive to keep our knowledge and skills up to date in order to provide world class patient care.
Both male and female staff are employed across both of our sites. If you have any questions or concerns regarding who may perform your test, please speak to our staff upon arrival who will be happy to offer advice or alternative arrangements for you.
- Tests provided by us
The department offers a wide range of tests that include non-invasive and invasive testing. Please be aware that not all the tests and clinics are done at both hospitals.
Noninvasive tests
Electrocardiograms (ECG) - Whiston & St Helens
Exercise Stress Testing - Medically Led - Whiston
Exercise Stress Testing - Technician Led - Whiston
Ambulatory ECG Monitoring (24 Hr – 7 Day) - Whiston & St Helens
Ambulatory 24 Hr Blood Pressure Monitoring - Whiston & St Helens
Transthoracic Echocardiogram - Whiston & St Helens
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram - Whiston
Contrast Echocardiogram - Whiston & St Helens
Stress Echocardiography (Dobutamine) - Whiston
Spirometry & Feno Testing - Whiston & St Helens
Full Lung Function Studies - Whiston
Sleep/Apnoea Studies - Whiston
Specialist areas
Pacemaker follow up clinics - Whiston & St Helens
Loop recorder follow up clinics - Whiston & St Helens
Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics - Whiston & St Helens
Invasive tests
These tests are carried out in the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre at Whiston Hospital where the cardiac physiologist role is to support the team within the laboratory by monitoring the haemodynamics (ECG and pressure) of the patient during the following procedures:
- Coronary Angiograms
- Permanent pacemaker implantations
- Loop recorder device implantations.
- Other information
What to do on arrival to the department for your appointment?
Please book in at reception and you will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area. There are various tests carried out within the department and operates on an appointment system and you will be seen in order of your test.
- Referral information
Referral from hospital
From the doctor you have seen you in hospital either as an outpatient in clinic or as an inpatient during your stay. On receiving the referral the administration staff will make the appointment which will be sent by post, occasionally telephoning if there has been a cancellation.
Referral from your GP
From your GP, as the department provides a GP open access service for the following:
- ECG
- Echocardiogram
- Ambulatory ECG monitoring
- Ambulatory 24 hour blood pressure monitoring.
The GP will usually book an appointment via the Electronic Referral System.
- About the Team
Gina Rogers
Cardio-Respiratory Manager / Lead Healthcare Scientist
Lisa Crolla
Deputy – Head of Operational Services
Joanne MacLeod
Deputy – Head of Devices/Interventional procedures
Keley Booker
Deputy – Head of Echocardiography
Lorraine Hunter
Office Manager / Administration Services Co-ordinator
- Current Waiting Times
Key
- < Less than
- > More than
- ~ Approximately
Full Pulmonary Function Tests (Full Studies)
- < 6 Weeks
Spirometry
- < 12 weeks
Sleep Apnoea Studies
- < 6 weeks
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- < 0 weeks
Echocardiogram (Echo)
- < 6 weeks
Contrast Echocardiogram
- < 5 weeks
Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)*/Bubble Contrast
- < 6 weeks
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE)
- < 14 weeks
Ambulatory ECG (24, 48 & 72 hour Tape)
- < 11 weeks
Ambulatory ECG (7 day ECG)
- < 11 weeks
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (24 hour BP)
- < 3 weeks
Exercise Tolerance Test (Technician-led)
- < 6 weeks
Exercise Tolerance Test (Medically Supervised)
- < 6 weeks
Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic
- < 2 weeks
Coronary Angiogram
- < 5 weeks
Updated 26 April 2024
- Location & Contact Details
Cardio Respiratory Department,
Whiston Hospital,
Warrington Road,
Whiston,
Prescot,
Merseyside
L35 5DRTelephone (General Enquiries)
0151 430 1428 / 0151 430 1439Telephone (Appointments)
01744 646 839 / 01744 646 915E-mail address: CRD.Appointments@sthk.nhs.uk
Warning: When you send information via the internet, it might be possible for others to see that information.
If you need to cancel an appointment, please let us know at the earliest opportunity/point so that the appointment may be offered to another patient.
Whiston Hospital
From the main entrance, turn left of the main hospital reception. Continue down the corridor past a set of lifts to your right. At the next cross-junction, turn right down the Central Corridor. You will find Cardio-Respiratory (ECG) down this corridor on your right.
The department is open for out-patients 08.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday with specialist ‘out of hour’ sessions scheduled as required and emergency cover is provided for in-patients on 24-hour basis, 7 days a week.
St Helens Hospital
The department is located on the ground floor of the hospital within the red zone. As you enter the main entrance of the hospital, the red zone is located to your right.
The department is open for out-patients 08.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday with specialist ‘out of hour’ sessions scheduled as required
- Relevant Leaflets/Documents/Links
Page last updated on 26th April 2024
