The Kingston Lung Clinic
At The Kingston Lung Clinic, we provide advanced lung function testing to assess how well your lungs are working. These tests help diagnose and monitor a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and more.
Our clinic is equipped with a state-of-the-art Vitalograph Body Plethysmograph, one of the newest models available, installed in 2025. This allows us to deliver accurate, reliable results in a comfortable and supportive setting.
About Us
Dan Jones
Sleep and Respiratory Physiologist
Dan Jones is a Sleep and Respiratory Physiologist with over 10 years’ experience in diagnostics. He trained at Southampton General Hospital and has worked across NHS Trusts and private centres. A member of ARTP and ERS, he has a strong background in managing complex sleep and breathing conditions. Dan is also the founder and Clinical Director of Kingston Lung Clinic, where he oversees all testing and works closely with consultants and GPs to provide clear answers and effective care.
Lung Testing
What Is Lung Function Testing?
Lung Function tests (also called Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs) are a group of non-invasive tests that measure different aspects of how your lungs work. We test the size of your lungs, the size of your airways and the efficiency of the lungs.
Your testing may include some or all of the following:
FeNO (Fraction Exhaled Nitric Oxide)
This test takes a sample of your breath and lets us see how inflamed your airways are. This is an excellent test to diagnose or rule out an asthmatic component.
Why it matters
This test measures the amount of Nitric Oxide in the airways – the higher the number, the more inflammation there is. This is an excellent test to diagnose eosinophilic asthma.
What happens
You will be asked to blow into a handheld device steadily for 6-10 seconds.
Spirometry
Spirometry is one of the most common and important Lung Function tests. It measures both the size of the lungs and the size of the airways.
Why it matters
This lets us test to see if there are any signs of obstruction or restriction, key factors in diagnosing or ruling out asthma, COPD or other common lung issues.
What happens
You will be asked to take a deep breath and blow out forcefully into a mouthpiece connected to a machine. It is quick, simple, and completely safe.
Gas Transfer Testing (TLCO or DLCO)
Gas Transfer testing measures how well oxygen is delivered into the blood from your lungs.
Why it matters
This test is especially useful in evaluating conditions that affect the lung tissue, such as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, or pulmonary hypertension.
What happens
You will be asked to inhale a harmless gas mixture, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale. The test analyses how much gas your lungs absorbed.
Static Lung Volumes (Body Plethysmography)
Static lung volumes measure the size of your lungs more accurately than other tests. This allows us to see your total lung capacity, consisting of your vital capacity and residual volume (the amount of gas left in the lungs when you have exhaled fully).
Why it matters
It helps distinguish between different types of lung problems – whether your lungs are restricted (as in fibrosis) or if there are any signs of hyperinflation or gas trapping (COPD/Asthma).
What happens
You will sit in an enclosed booth similar to a glass cabin and breathe through a mouthpiece while we record pressure and volume changes. The test is safe and comfortable, and the booth is transparent to avoid feelings of claustrophobia. There is also a button inside that can open the door if you are feeling uncomfortable.
Reversibility Testing
Reversibility testing looks at how your airways respond to inhalers – usually the blue inhaler Salbutamol/Ventolin.
Why it matters
This test helps differentiate between Asthma and COPD, and determines how much your airway obstruction can improve with treatment. This will also help your doctor assess how well your current inhalers are working, and whether an inhaler review is required.
What happens
We will perform a baseline Spirometry test and then give you a bronchodilator to inhale (usually salbutamol). After 15 minutes, we repeat the Spirometry to see if there’s a change in your airways.
What to Expect
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Duration: Most lung function testing takes 45–60 minutes.
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Preparation: Avoid smoking, caffeine, and strenuous exercise for a few hours before your appointment. If possible, avoid using inhalers beforehand unless needed to complete the test.
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Comfort: We take extra time to guide you through each test, and our physiologists provide clear coaching throughout.
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Afterwards: You can resume normal activities immediately.
Results
Your results will be reported on the same day as your visit and will be sent to your consultant approximately 30 minutes after the appointment.
Sleep Testing
Sleep Testing at the Kingston Clinic
Sleep plays a vital role in your physical and mental health. If you're experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or unexplained fatigue, a sleep disorder may be the cause.
At The Kingston Lung Clinic, we offer a full range of advanced sleep diagnostic tests to help uncover the reason for your symptoms and guide effective treatment.
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What Is Sleep Testing?
Sleep testing involves monitoring your body’s activity during rest to detect conditions such as:
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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
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Narcolepsy and other hypersomnia
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Insomnia
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Circadian rhythm disorders
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Parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking, night terrors)
We use both home-based and in-clinic methods, depending on the nature and complexity of your sleep concerns. Your testing may include some or all of the following:
Cardiorespiratory Sleep Study (WatchPAT)
Sleep testing involves monitoring your body’s activity during rest to detect conditions such as:
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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
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Narcolepsy and other hypersomnia
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Insomnia
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Circadian rhythm disorders
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Parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking, night terrors)
We use both home-based and in-clinic methods, depending on the nature and complexity of your sleep concerns. Your testing may include some or all of the following:
Cardiorespiratory Sleep Study (WatchPAT)
The WatchPAT is a compact, comfortable home sleep study device that assesses for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and other breathing-related sleep disorders.
Why it matters:
It’s ideal for patients with suspected sleep apnoea who prefer the convenience of testing at home.
What it measures:
• Breathing patterns
• Oxygen levels
• Heart rate
• Snoring
• Sleep staging (via peripheral arterial tone)
What happens:
You either take the device home/ or it is posted to you, and you wear it on your wrist with a small finger probe and chest sensor, and sleep as usual. The data is analysed by a specialist to provide a clear diagnosis.
Full Video Polysomnography
Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold-standard sleep study, performed overnight in the comfort of your own home, for this test a physiologist will attend your home and set you up with the study along with video feed. The process takes approximately 90 minutes.
Why it matters:
This comprehensive test evaluates complex or unexplained sleep issues, including:
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Severe or treatment-resistant sleep apnoea
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Parasomnias (e.g. acting out dreams)
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Periodic limb movement disorder
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REM sleep behaviour disorder
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Nocturnal seizures
What it records:
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Brain waves (EEG)
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Eye and jaw movements
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Heart rate
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Breathing effort and airflow
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Oxygen levels
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Muscle tone
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Video and sound for behavioural analysis
What happens:
The physiologist will arrive at your home and will attach sensors before you sleep. The physiologist will usually return the morning after to detach all of the sensors.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
MSLT is a daytime test used to assess daytime sleepiness and diagnose conditions like narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.
What happens:
After the overnight sleep study, the physiologist will return to your home to observe and you will be asked to take five scheduled naps at two-hour intervals. We monitor how quickly you fall asleep and whether you enter REM sleep.
Actigraphy
Actigraphy involves wearing a wrist-worn device (similar to a fitness tracker) over several days or weeks to monitor your sleep-wake patterns. It helps diagnose insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep disturbances in children or shift workers.
What it records:
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Movement
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Rest/activity cycles
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Light exposure (in some devices)
What happens:
You wear the device at home and keep a simple sleep diary. It’s completely non-invasive and allows us to assess sleep in your natural environment.
What to Expect
• All tests are painless and require little or no preparation.
• Our sleep team includes specialist physicians and experienced sleep physiologists who will interpret your results and guide you through the next steps.