The posts are designed to support existing Respiratory services and evolving new patterns of working. The post holders will join the existing consultants on each of the acute sites. The Respiratory department provides specialist investigations and treatment for a wide range of Respiratory conditions with programmes for the management of asthma, care of COPD, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer; sleep disordered breathing, pleural disease, interstitial lung disease, and infections.
There are dedicated lists in pleural disease (including IPC), bronchoscopy, and EBUS (at University Hospital of North Durham), with close links to cardiothoracic surgery at James Cook University Hospital and Newcastle. The Respiratory department runs MDTs in lung cancer and SPN, and links to the ILD regional MDT, regional home ventilation team, and the regional difficult asthma service in Newcastle. In-patient care is delivered on a dedicated respiratory ward of 30 beds including a separate 8 bedded Acute Respiratory Unit, accommodating NIV, high flow nasal oxygen and in-patient pleural procedures soon to be opened.
All in-patients are looked after by a respiratory physician of the week model, which is currently 1:6 rotation. In addition, we are developing a community-based role to bring respiratory care closer to home. As part of a large integrated care organisation, we are involved with the Respiratory Rightcare project with community services to enhance respiratory care in community practice. This is a regional initiative associated with the ICP for the North East.
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