The Respiratory Medicine team includes consultant respiratory physicians and clinical scientists who offer a full range of respiratory services.
All respiratory referrals are accepted and specialist clinics are available for the following conditions:
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)
- asthma
- bronchiectasis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- interstitial Lung Disease (Pulmonary Fibrosis)
- lung Cancer
- lung transplantation
- occupational and environmental lung disease
- oxygen
- sleep apnoea and lung failure
In addition, the team is supported by lung cancer specialist nurses and a dedicated COPD support service, including both nursing and therapy support who do outreach community work as well as inpatient work.
General Practitioners are able to book clinic appointments via the choose and book system or via direct referral to the relevant consultant for all clinics with the exception of the Lung Cancer clinics, which are accessed via the Quick and Early Diagnosis department.
The Lung Function and Sleep department provides a full range of routine and specialist investigations, with outreach support to the clinics. Specialist tests include oxygen assessments, bronchial challenge and skin testing for asthma, respiratory muscle testing, sleep studies, and full cardiopulmonary exercise testing. General Practitioners are able to request a number of tests directly. The Lung Function and Sleep department also provide a range of therapies including oxygen treatment, nebuliser issue, CPAP, home ventilation and pulmonary rehabilitation.
The respiratory department also has access to multiple CT and MRI scanners, dedicated lung cytology and histology services, and a full microbiological service. Bronchoscopy, including endobronchial ultrasound, and local anaesthetic thoracoscopy are also provided.
The department offer a range of assessment facilities including respiratory health work influences, effects of lung disease on work capabilities and work place assessment. Where necessary we work in collaboration with the Birmingham Chest Clinic. Occupational peak flow assessment using the OASYS method is also available through the respiratory department.
Advice and refer
University Hospitals Birmingham is using "advice and refer" as the only process for referrals from GPs for this service, using the "advice and guidance" functionality on the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). This will not change for cancer and two week wait (2WW) referrals.
For further information for patients, please see our advice and refer page.
Last reviewed: 09 October 2024