For most people, the main contact with Blackpool Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service team will be through the outpatient department.

We run two regular clinics a week at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals main building in Ward 3:

  • Tuesday morning 9am-1pm
  • Thursday morning 9am-1pm

In addition, we see patients by arrangement at various other times through the week. Everybody should be seen in clinic at least every three months. It is really important to attend these appointments even if you feel well.

What happens at outpatient clinic?

On arrival in clinic you will be shown into your own clinic room, and members of the CF team will come into the room to see you there. Please make your way there as soon as possible to minimise the risk of cross infection.

The clinics are arranged so that you do not come into contact or share a room with any other person with cystic fibrosis. We also organise clinics so that people with the same bacteria in their lungs come on certain days, so that we keep any risk of cross infection to an absolute minimum. This is in line with the standards of care produced by the CF Trust.

At each clinic appointment you will get the chance to talk to the pharmacist, dietitian, physiotherapist, nurse specialist and doctor. They will ask you questions about your health and medical management since the last appointment, as well as taking some measurements such as weight, lung function (spirometry) and sputum samples.

Psychology and social work input can be arranged for you as a separate outpatient appointment. If you call the BACFS team in advance of your outpatient appointment, it may be feasible to arrange to see the psychologist or social worker at your next outpatient appointment.

Life can create challenges in looking after yourself and your health. Especially at these times, we encourage you to link with a team member within psychology and/or social work to discuss how they may be able to support you.

Annual assessment

Once a year you will be offered a comprehensive assessment of your overall health (also called your annual assessment) which involves blood tests, an ultrasound of your liver and chest X-ray, as well as more in depth assessments with the physiotherapist and dietitian.

We also take this opportunity to review your medication, and have a routine meeting with the psychologist.

Every few years, we will also request a bone scan to assess bone thickness, as well as more detailed breathing tests. Arrangements for all of this will be made by the specialist nurse on discussion with you.