Respiratory
Caring for patients with lung problems and respiratory diseases.
We use a range of modern diagnostic techniques include fibre-optic bronchoscopy, lung function testing, chest ultrasounds and overnight studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing.
We work closely with GPs and our community partners to give patients rapid access to diagnostic imaging. We carry out CT scanning at both Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.
We also work extremely closely with the Cancer Services department at Royal Cornwall Hospital and Thoracic Surgery department at Derriford for treatment of lung cancer.
Respiratory Clinics
- Cystic fibrosis (see toggle below for more information)
- Lung cancer
- Thromboembolic diseases and non invasive ventilation
- Sleep apnoea
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
We also run general respiratory clinics at other hospitals across the county including:
- Camborne Redruth Hospital on Monday afternoons
- St Austell Hospital on Monday afternoons
- West Cornwall Hospital on Thursday mornings
- Bodmin Hospital on Monday afternoons
Cystic Fibrosis
The paediatric CF service, led by Dr Anne Prendiville, is part of a shared center with Plymouth. The adult CF team is led by Dr Jonathan Myers. Adolescents and young adults are seen in a joint clinic by both teams through a transition period.
Adult Cystic Fibrosis Team
Dr Jonathan Myers (Consultant)
Ruth Holding (CF Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team
Dr Anne Prendiville (Consultant)
Dr Rajesh Srikantaiah (Consultant)
Dr K Kyaw (Trust Specialty Doctor)
Anna Rogers (Paediatric CF Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Sandy Ovens (Paediatric CF Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Working across adult and paediatric services
Katrina Walker (Dietician)
Claire Eddy (Senior Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist)
Lucy Jones (Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist)
Janine Bailey (Database administrator)
Find out more about how we care for children with long term conditions in our Child Health section.
Lung Cancer
We look after patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma, and rare chest and lung cancers such as carcinoid, thymoma and thymic carcinoma. We work closely with the Respiratory and Cancer Services teams to look after patients from initial diagnosis and throughout their cancer journey.
What happens when you are first referred?
Our patients first come to us for investigation of a lung or chest problem. You’ll see our respiratory consultant team as an outpatient (at the outpatient clinic in the Trelawney Wing at the Royal Cornwall Hospital). You will be considered for a scan or biopsies or both so that we can see what’s going on, and if you are found to have cancer, you’ll be referred to the specialist lung cancer team.
The Lung Cancer team
We have two Cancer Nurse Specialists, Paul Kneller and Emma Cresswell, who work across both respiratory and cancer services, providing support for patients throughout their journey. You can contact them on 01872 252015.
Respiratory Consultants
Stephen Iles
Meme Wijesinghe
Jonathon Myers
James Pickering
Sarah Coulter
Consultant Oncologists
Where will I go for treatment?
The vast majority of your treatment and monitoring will take place at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. To see your Oncologist and for radiotherapy, you’ll come to the Sunrise Centre. If chemotherapy is an option, you’ll go to the Headland Unit.
Surgery will be an option for around 10% of our patients. If you do decide to have surgery, you will have it at the Thoracic Surgery department at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, but you’ll still come to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for all your pre- and post-surgery appointments.
Sometimes patients do need to be admitted to hospital, either because of complications with their cancer or their treatment, or sometimes for inpatient chemotherapy. If you do, you’ll most likely be admitted to our specialist cancer ward, Lowen Ward. If you’re admitted in an emergency, we work closely with our acute oncology team. We may also refer you to our palliative care team if you are having difficulties managing your symptoms.
Lung Cancer Clinics
We run a number of clinics for our patients including:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- For new patients to meet oncologists
- Follow up clinics for people who need monitoring
- A surgical clinic at Royal Cornwall Hospital, where patients being considered for surgery can meet the surgeon and have their pre-surgery assessments (so you don’t have to go all the way to Derriford.)
Further support and information
Patient Support Groups
There is an active mesothelioma support group, that meets once a month in the Truro area. Your Cancer Nurse Specialist will be able to tell you when the next meeting is.
The Cove Macmillan Cancer Support Centre
Offers advice and support on all aspects of living with cancer. The centre is on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site in Truro. Find out more here.
Information Leaflets
Macmillan have produced a really helpful leaflet called ‘Understanding Lung Cancer’. It includes information on causes and symptoms, diagnosis, staging and grading, treatments and clinical trials. It also talks about emotional, practical and financial issues.
You can download a PDF, kindle or e-reader file from this page, or you can get a paper copy from your Cancer Nurse Specialist or the team at the Cove.
Websites
The Roy Castle Foundation has a lot of helpful information and support to people with lung cancer.
The Mesothelioma UK website is an excellent resource with information and support for people with mesothelioma.
There is also a useful section on Lung Cancer on the Macmillan website
Further information about respiratory diseases
The British Lung Foundation website offers support and information to people with lung disease.
For more information about Cystic Fibrosis, please visit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust website.
