CONTINUING our series focusing on healthcare heroes we speak to Lisa McManus, Chief Respiratory Physiologist at South West Acute Hospital. She talks about what motivates and inspires her to do the job that she does. 

What motivated you to pursue a career at South West Acute Hospital?

Originally from Roslea, I studied for my degree in Belfast and professional examinations in England. I gained vast experience working in the Regional Respiratory Unit, Belfast for nine and a half years, however, it was always my goal to relocate home. The opportunity arose in 2013 to apply for a position in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex (OH&PCC).  This involved developing new Respiratory Investigation and Sleep Services across both sites. I saw this as a fantastic opportunity not only to progress in my career but also to strike the work-life balance I had wanted for so long. 

Could you share a significant challenge you've faced in your role and how you overcame it to provide quality healthcare services?

As with all areas of the NHS, the demands on our services have risen exponentially over the last 20 years, COVID in particular highlighted how vital respiratory services are, during COVID our testing procedures (which can be aerosol generating) required us to think outside the box, wear full PPE, use negative pressure rooms etc. We are fortunate in the Western Trust to have high-standard facilitates which enabled us to assess Lung Cancer, Fibrosis and Pre-operative patients despite the challenges faced. 

This combined with the meteoritic rise in sleep-related breathing disorders has seen our demand increase by more than 100 per cent since 2013.  

How do you believe your role contributes to the well-being and recovery of patients within our community?

Being a Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist requires a high level of scientific knowledge about the analysis and interpretation of results which is imperative in helping the multi-disciplinary team make decisions regarding patients' diagnosis, treatment and pre/post-operative care; however, it is arguably more important that we are empathic, good listeners and can communicate with our patients and team to enhance patient experience and care. The tests we perform are highly effort-dependent and the majority of our patients return regularly, they love to see a familiar face, knowing we have their best interests at heart.  

Can you highlight a particular patient interaction or medical achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why?

I recently won the Professor Gerry McKenna Award for Excellence in Health Science & Technology at the Western Trust Staff Recognition Awards 2023/24, this was a very proud moment as I have worked hard for many years to ensure we offer a wide range of services to the highest standards; however, sometimes it is the smallest things that make the difference. Following a phone enquiry, a thank-you card arrived at work, from the patient explaining I had restored her faith in humanity and that she appreciated everything I had done for her. Simply taking the time to listen to her needs and assisting this lady made a difference. 

How do you ensure the delivery of compassionate and effective care in your specific healthcare discipline?

Patients attending Respiratory Investigations often have chronic, progressive and life-limiting conditions. We must be sensitive to patient’s needs, whilst also pushing them to achieve the best possible results to provide technically accurate results to our medical teams. These patients face extreme health situations, yet often remain positive, even on their hardest days.  

What aspect of your work do you find most rewarding, and how does it resonate with your values and mission?

Patient care - every patient that enters our department is of value, I always think; ‘If it were my family member how I would like them to be treated?’ In particular, those who are anxious upon arrival may have received bad news or are experiencing a decline in their health. To spend time with them and know that when they leave their appointment they may feel even just a little better than when they arrived is humbling.

We provide a high-quality service to these patients and our medical teams trust our knowledge and experience to help guide them in providing the best level of care. 

How do you manage the demands of your job, and what strategies do you employ to ensure exceptional healthcare service delivery?

Organisation is key! It is very much a team effort.  We have a daily team rota, with exceptional secretarial and technical support on a part-time basis. The work they do during the hours they are with us allows the physiology staff to focus on the technical aspects of the role. 

As demands on the service continue to grow, so too has how we work, we continually reassess workflow to ensure optimum patient care and delivery. We also have weekly team and monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings to update, guide and support each other. 

Have there been any mentors or colleagues who have significantly influenced your practice, and in what way?

I studied in England under the guidance of distinguished Clinical Scientists/Physiologists, I have maintained these friendships for 20 years and still call on them for guidance to this day. 

Our Western Trust physiology teams influence me daily, we continuously discuss patient cases/results to help broaden knowledge and apply best practice. 

Professor McManus – whom I first worked within 2004. His vision for Respiratory Medicine was, in part my reason for coming to the Western Trust.  He is an excellent Clinical Lead; diligent, forward-thinking, with the utmost respect for his team.  He champions our role, supporting change and development so that services can advance.  

What are your aspirations for the future, and how do you envision the evolution of your role within South West Acute Hospital?

The primary aim is to expand our permanent staff workforce both in terms of physiology and support teams. There are currently less than 40 permanent Respiratory Physiologists in Northern Ireland yet demand for respiratory and sleep services rises year on year. Providing clinical supervision to undergraduate students aids this vision, I hope to continue this and my work as a guest lecturer for the Health Care Science degree. 

I would like the opportunity to hold workshops/information sessions for non-respiratory staff to provide enhanced knowledge of respiratory and sleep investigations to the multi-disciplinary teams. 

How do you believe your efforts contribute to the overall excellence and advancement of healthcare services in our local community?

I recently had the honour of presenting to Health Minister Robin Swann and Western Trust directors to celebrate Health Care Science Week outlining the vital role of physiologists within diagnostic services. 

Continued professional development is essential. Due to the wide range of investigations performed it is necessary to keep up with the latest guidelines and deliver these as a team, attending courses and conferences helps attain this. 

I attend province-wide meetings in relation to respiratory workforce, respiratory and sleep standards of care/delivery and participate in the delivery of annual Respiratory Symposiums to non-respiratory professionals whilst frequently teaching students and medics within the hospital setting.