Respiratory Medicine at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
The Respiratory Department provides a comprehensive range of general Respiratory and General Internal Medicine (GIM) experiences across both Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The department features specialty-trained consultants with Level 2 accreditation in Chest Ultrasound at each site, enabling supervision of Specialty Trainees to obtain Level 1 accreditation. This advanced imaging capability is supported by dedicated ultrasound machines on each Respiratory ward, facilitating skill development in this increasingly important diagnostic modality.
Specialised Respiratory Services
The service is delivered by four Respiratory Consultants who oversee two Bronchoscopy lists per week alongside regular outpatient clinics, including specialized services for Omalizumab administration. Each site operates dedicated lung cancer clinics supported by an excellent team of Respiratory Nurses and physiotherapists, creating a truly multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The department maintains an active audit programme and participates in all National British Thoracic Society (BTS) audits, ensuring quality improvement is embedded within routine clinical practice. Both respiratory wards at each site provide non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and Optiflow therapy, ensuring comprehensive management of respiratory failure.
