A Pleural Assessment Room (PAR) opened at Furness General Hospital (FGH) on 24 April 2026, expanding the Trust’s Pleural Service at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI). The new PAR at FGH will make it easier for local people with pleural conditions to access care.
The dedicated clinical space has been designed specifically for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the pleura, the thin lining around the lungs. It allows clinicians to safely perform procedures such as draining fluid from around the lungs in a controlled, specialist environment.
Other treatments the service will offer include:
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The insertion and management of indwelling pleural catheters
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Chest drain insertion
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Diagnostic ultrasound-guided procedures
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Monitoring and follow-up care for pleural conditions
Over the years, the existing service at the RLI has treated approximately 1,500 patients from across Morecambe Bay and this is now expected to increase with the new PAR at FGH.
Patients accessing the service typically have conditions such as pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), malignant pleural disease (e.g. cancer-related fluid build-up), infection-related pleural disease (e.g. empyema) and pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
The new PAR will be delivered by Jane Suligowski, Respiratory Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Gemma Barton, Pleural Consultant Nurse, with support from wider Respiratory colleagues. There will be up to two pleural clinics per week initially and additional ad hoc urgent slots for acute cases.
Gemma Barton, Pleural Consultant Nurse, said: “This new FGH PAR is a significant step forward for our patients. This service will make a real difference to people living with pleural conditions, many of whom experience distressing symptoms like breathlessness. Being able to access specialist care quickly, in a dedicated environment, will greatly improve both outcomes and quality of life.”
Dr Helen Skinner, Chief Medical Officer, said: “Before the introduction of the PAR at FGH, patients often had to attend the emergency department or be admitted to hospital wards or travel to other hospital sites for specialist procedures. This could result in delays; longer hospital stays and less convenient care.
“The new PAR at FGH improves both safety and patient comfort while reducing the need for hospital admission.”
More information about Pleural Conditions can be found here UK Pleural Society – understanding pleural diseases.