Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals FT offers new charged-for service

The test, which is required by lung disease sufferers seeking insurance to travel by air, was free on the NHS but is no longer available following the introduction of new commissioning arrangements last month.

A trust statement said: “Until recently the test, which determines whether or not a patient might require oxygen while on an aeroplane, was paid for by commissioners. Patients were sent to either Leicester or Papworth for their test.

“Therefore, the team in the respiratory investigations department at Peterborough City Hospital developed a plan to offer the service much closer to home for local patients.

“And although patients will now have to fund the cost of the test themselves, the team has ensured the cost is at a very competitive rate.”