Respiratory Services
Our respiratory services team treat and care for patients with a variety of conditions, such as lung cancer, Sarcoidosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), Bronchiectasis and Tuberculosis.
The respiratory team consists of respiratory consultants, respiratory nurses, healthcare scientists (physiologists), physiotherapists and administration staff.
There is a dedicated respiratory ward at both hospitals – Ward 21 in Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Foster Clark in Maidstone Hospital.
If you have an appointment and want to find out more about our respiratory services, click on the links below:
Hypoxic Challenge or Fit to Fly Test
Respiratory Consultants
There are currently three respiratory consultants on each of the Trusts two acute hospital sites. The respiratory services are mirrored across site, but currently interventional bronchoscopy occurs only on the Maidstone site.
We offer a range of specialist and general respiratory outpatient services, including Lung cancer, Bronchiectasis, TB, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pleural diseases, asthma and a COPD HOT clinic.
We offer an Integrated COPD pathway, which works across primary and secondary care. We have an established home oxygen service and Pulmonary Rehabilitation service.
Respiratory Nurses
A team of respiratory nurse specialists are available Monday to Friday to give specific clinical advice and education to ward staff for patients who have:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Acute asthma
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Complex oxygen requirements
Patients are supported with education and given advice on how to better manage their condition. Outpatient clinics are run for patients with asthma, TB and those who require oxygen at home.
The nurses are part of a multi-disciplinary team who deliver an integrated care pathway for COPD patients. This pathway allows COPD patients whose condition is worsening to have support both in hospital and at home by a dedicated specialist team. Patients are encouraged to attend pulmonary rehabilitation classes and given support to better manage their condition at home.
Useful Links
- Asthma and Lung UK – the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma, and the 1 in every 5 people who will have a lung condition in their lifetime
- Home Oxygen Service – NHS website with information about oxygen at home and where local suppliers are.