Specialist respiratory test available at PRI

Respiratory patients from Perthshire can now access a new specialist bronchoscopy test at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI), allowing them to be seen closer to home.

The endobronchial ultrasound scan with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) test is available for patients with lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.

The test involves the endoscopy team using equipment, which has ultrasound capabilities, to examine a patient’s airways.

This allows them to detect and sample lymph nodes which helps develop and inform a patient’s treatment plan.

The service is already available at Ninewells Hospital but was recently introduced in PRI to provide care as close to home as possible, with the first patient being seen in November.

A respiratory consultant has been recruited as part of the new EBUS TBNA service in PRI, which is run once a week by a doctor and nursing team.

Respiratory consultant Dr Mark Spears said: “Endobronchial ultrasound sampling (EBUS) of glands within the chest is of critical importance for the diagnosis and planning of care for cancer patients.

“Until recently, this service was only available at Ninewells Hospital, resulting in patients having to travel from the Perthshire area for this test. However, following investment in equipment and training of endoscopy staff, and the recruitment of a respiratory consultant trained in the technique, PRI recently launched its EBUS service.

“This exciting service development demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the improvement of services for patients, development of staff, and reduction of the carbon footprint associated with delivery of care, including provision of care closer to the patients home where possible.”