
Our Clinics
The Respiratory Medicine Department provides a specialist outpatient service for more than 12,000 patients with severe respiratory disorders a year including asthma, ‘COPD’ (emphysema & bronchitis), asbestos and other work-related lung diseases, lung cancer and mesothelioma, pleural (lining of the lung) diseases, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and the state adult cystic fibrosis service.
We offer a multidisciplinary service. During your visit you may meet some of our specialist nurses, physios, pharmacists or dieticians.
What to expect
- The Respiratory Medicine Department is in B Block (Google Maps link).
- Please allow time for parking and / or transport (Parking information).
- On the day you will be seen by a clinic nurse and may be asked to have a blowing test.
- Depending on your condition you may see a doctor, specialist nurse, and/or a member of our allied health team (physios, pharmacists, speech pathology).
- We will try to see you as close to your appointment time as possible. We ask for your understanding if times run over, we aim to give every patient and their family all the time they need.
What to bring
To ensure the best care for you on the day we see you, it is very helpful for the team to have:
- A list of your current medicines, and doses
- A copy of any tests you have had, particularly x-rays, CT scans and other tests like echo scans of the heart. If you don’t have a copy of the test, that’s ok, if you can tell us where (which provider) you had the test, that’s usually enough.
- The names of any other specialists you are seeing, and where they work.
Asbestos Review Program
The Asbestos Review Program (ARP) is a dedicated clinic to follow up people who have worked with, or who have had significant exposure to, asbestos. The clinic has been running since 1990 and specialises in dealing with asbestos related lung diseases. At the ARP we arrange an annual health check-up using specialist breathing tests, blood tests and the latest x-ray technology.
It is known that people who have been exposed to asbestos have a greater chance of developing cancer of the lung, mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung) and possibly other cancers. At present, the only known actions that can be taken to reduce these risks are to stop smoking and avoid further contact with asbestos. The careful use of a low-dose CT scans of the chest can identify lung cancer at an early stage when it is potentially curable and the ARP now offers this new service. We also have many years of experience in dealing with other lung diseases that asbestos exposure can cause.
Who can join the ARP?
The clinic can only accept people who have worked in a job where they have been exposed to asbestos for more than 3-months of full time work. We also look after those who have x-rays showing evidence of asbestos exposure (pleural plaques) and those who ever worked or lived in the asbestos mining town of Wittenoom.
What happens if I join?
An appointment will be made for you to attend our clinic in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ground floor, B-block, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. You will also be asked to attend for a CT scan and information forms will be sent to you to complete at home and bring with you. The first appointment forms are quite detailed and may take up to 45 minutes to complete, after this the annual forms are much quicker.
The supervisor of the program is Professor Fraser Brims of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
If you wish to join the program or have any questions please contact the staff at the Asbestos Review Program clinic using the details below.
Phone: (08) 6457 2922
Email: [email protected]
Asbestos Review Program
The Asbestos Review Program (ARP) is a dedicated clinic to follow up people who have worked with, or who have had significant exposure to, asbestos. The clinic has been running since 1990 and specialises in dealing with asbestos related lung diseases. At the ARP we arrange an annual health check-up using specialist lung function, blood tests and the ultra-low dose CT.
It is known that individuals who have been exposed to asbestos have a greater chance of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung) and possibly other cancers. At present, the only known actions that can be taken to reduce these risks are to stop smoking and avoid further contact with asbestos. The careful use of low-dose CT scans of the chest can identify lung cancer at an early stage when it is potentially curable and the ARP now offers this unique service. We also have many years of experience in dealing with other lung diseases that asbestos exposure can cause.
Who can join the ARP?
The clinic can only accept people who have worked in a job where they have been exposed to asbestos for more than 3-months of full time work. We also look after those who have x-rays showing evidence of asbestos exposure (pleural plaques) and those who ever worked or lived in the asbestos mining town of Wittenoom.
The supervisor of the program is Professor Fraser Brims of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. See more regarding ARP research.
Phone: (08) 6457 2922
Email: [email protected]
Asthma
SCGH hosts the largest asthma clinic in the state. We have extensive experience in managing severe asthma, and an excellent record in clinical research and quality improvement initiatives. Our multi-disciplinary evidence-based approach includes services that are not available elsewhere in the state.
Key activities in the clinic include
- Resolution of diagnostic uncertainty around asthma
- Treatment of severe asthma with monoclonal antibodies, bronchial thermoplasty, and other specialist interventions
- Treatment of other conditions that make asthma difficult to manage such as ILO, dysfunctional breathing and large airway collapse.
To reduce the burden of travel on patients, we are happy to share care with other providers or provide “one stop” assessments.
If you are a GP and would like information on making a referral, this can be found here {hyperlink to referral document}. We are also happy to discuss cases if you are uncertain whether to refer.
Links
For asthma-related enquires, please contact [email protected]
Asthma
Asthma is very common, but the type and severity of the disease varies greatly. Our clinics:
- Ensure the diagnosis is correct, as about one third of people treated for asthma do not have it
- Support core aspects of care such as ensuring correct inhaler technique and supporting smoking cessation
- Provide structured assessment and targeted specialist treatments such as monoclonal antibodies and bronchial thermoplasty
- Diagnose and treat conditions that can complicate asthma like large airway collapse and dysfunctional breathing.
We work with organisations such as Asthma WA and Asthma Australia to improve disease-specific knowledge amongst people with the condition and General Practitioners.
Bronchiectasis
We offer a unique multidisciplinary specialised bronchiectasis assessment service, including complex lung infection MDT with our infectious disease colleagues.
Specialist physiotherapy, dietician and pharmacy input ensure a comprehensive diagnostic and assessment of our patients, together with formulation of appropriate bespoke treatment plans.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is caused by damage to the airway pipes in our lungs. This can cause symptoms including chronic cough, wheezing and breathlessness.
Our specialist clinic offers state of the art clinical assessment from our multidisciplinary team. There may be a number of specialist investigations we ask you to have including a CT scan and detailed lung function testing.
Our team includes consultants in respiratory and infectious disease, specialist nurses, physios and pharmacists.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) offers a multi-disciplinary service including
- Respiratory testing
- Optimising therapy and inhaler technique
- Respiratory home visiting nurse
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Assessment for oxygen and other respiratory supports
Referral to the COPD service
Please consider referral If there is diagnostic uncertainty or for particular indications such as assessment for oxygen therapy (see box below, adapted from Lung Foundation Australia-COPD-X Concise guide for Primary Care. www.copdx.org.au)
Read More (table)
Reason | Purpose |
Diagnostic uncertainty and exclusion of asthma |
Establish diagnosis and optimise treatment. Check degree of reversibility of airflow Obstruction |
Unusual symptoms such as haemoptysis | Investigate cause including exclusion of Malignancy |
Rapid decline in FEV1 | Optimise management |
Moderate or severe COPD | Optimise management |
Onset of cor pulmonale | Confirm diagnosis and optimise treatment |
Assessment of home oxygen therapy: ambulatory or long-term oxygen therapy | Optimise management, measure blood gases and prescribe oxygen therapy |
Assessing the need for pulmonary rehabilitation | Optimise treatment and refer to specialist or community-based rehabilitation service |
Bullous lung disease | Confirm diagnosis and consideration of endobronchial valves or bullectomy |
COPD <40 years of age | Establish diagnosis and exclude alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency |
Assessment for lung transplantation or lung volume reduction surgery | Identify criteria for referral to transplant Centres |
Frequent chest infections | Rule out co-existing bronchiectasis |
Dysfunctional breathing | Establish diagnosis and refer for pharmacological and non-pharmacological management |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is term describing lung diseases usually caused by smoking. COPD leads to progressive breathlessness, but also a susceptibility to having flare-ups (exacerbations) that are often caused by infection. These exacerbations are a leading cause of hospital admissions.
Our COPD clinic implements treatments that help improve breathlessness and reduce the risk of exacerbations. We also recognise the importance of addressing the broader impact of the disease on people’s mood, nutrition, bone and heart health. For those with more severe disease, we offer lung volume reduction interventions such as endobronchial valves and vapour therapy, or non-invasive ventilation.
The WA Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre
The SCGH Cystic Fibrosis (CF) centre is the state adult CF centre in Western Australia. We are committed to providing personalised evidenced based up to date treatment in CF. Our multidisciplinary CF team includes CF doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists and a social worker. We liaise closely with the paediatric CF team at Perth Children’s Hospital attending transition clinics prior to patient transfer to the Adult CF unit. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive care to meet the complex healthcare needs in adults with CF.
The CF team can refer patients to other medical speciality services within and outside SCGH if required, including:
- Diabetes and Endocrine
- Radiology and Vascular Intervention for infusa port and PICC placement
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Psychiatry
- Gastroenterology/Hepatology
- Ear, nose and throat
- WA Genetic Counselling services
- Fertility Clinics
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology at King Edward Memorial hospital
- Lung transplant team at Fiona Stanley Hospital
The Respiratory Ward in SCGH (G54) provides inpatient care for hospitalised patients with CF. All patients with CF have single rooms during admissions to ensure optimal infection-control.
If there is an emergency there are ways of contacting the CF team at SCGH which include:
Office Hours
(9am-5pm Monday to Friday) contact the Respiratory Outpatient Clinic on Tel: 6457 1756 or CF emergency phone number.
After Hours
Contact the on-call respiratory registrar or Ward G54 by telephoning the hospital switchboard on Tel: 6457 3333
Cystic Fibrosis – The WA Adult CF Centre
The Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) Cystic Fibrosis (CF) centre is the state adult CF centre in Western Australia. We are committed to providing the best and most up to date treatment in CF and the team will adapt each person’s treatment to his or her needs. Our multidisciplinary CF team includes CF doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists and a social worker.
We liaise closely with the paediatric CF team at Perth Children’s hospital attending transition clinics prior to patient transfer to the Adult CF unit. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive care to meet the complex healthcare needs in adults with CF.
The CF team works very closely with multiple other medical specialties to bring the highest quality service for our patients. The Respiratory Ward in SCGH (G54) provides inpatient care for hospitalised patients with CF. All patients with CF are treated in single rooms during admissions to ensure optimal infection-control.
If there is an emergency there are ways of contacting the CF team at SCGH which include:
Office Hours
(9am-5pm Monday to Friday) contact the Respiratory Outpatient Clinic on Tel: 6457 1756 or CF emergency phone number.
After Hours
Contact the on-call respiratory registrar or Ward G54 by telephoning the hospital switchboard on Tel: 6457 3333
Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia – CFWA
www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/wa
Interstitial Lung Diseases Service
The Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) clinical service offers a comprehensive specialised diagnostic and management service which includes:
- Clinical assessment, including a fortnightly Multidisciplinary Meeting for confirmation of diagnosis and optimal management
- Joint care with Immunology, Rheumatology, Pulmonary Hypertension service and the WA Transplant Unit
- Patient education and ongoing support
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation at SCGH and in the community
- Home based support through the Respiratory Community Nurse, including for oxygen therapy
- Access to ongoing clinical trials of new treatment
Interstitial Lung Diseases Service
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a condition where the lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff making it more difficult to breathe. There are a wide range of conditions that can cause this and diagnosis and treatment can be very difficult sometimes. Our specialised clinical service provides a comprehensive diagnostic and management review by including multiple other specialists to ensure we offer the best care.
This includes:
- Clinical assessment, including a fortnightly Multidisciplinary Meeting for confirmation of diagnosis and optimal management
- Joint care with Immunology, Rheumatology, Pulmonary Hypertension service and the WA Transplant Unit
- Patient education and ongoing support
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation at SCGH and in the community
- Home based support through the Respiratory Community Nurse, including for oxygen therapy
- Access to ongoing clinical trials of new treatment
Lung Cancer & Interventional Pulmonology
More people die from lung cancer in Australia than any other cancer. Our comprehensive Lung Cancer and Interventional Pulmonology program provides compassionate, patient-focused care aimed at early diagnosis and optimal treatments of lung cancers. We can help our patients with lung cancer achieve their best outcomes using minimally invasive, state-of-art diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions combined with expert multi-disciplinary care.
Our patients have easy access to a variety of expert service including –
1. Lung Cancer fast-track clinics
- Dedicated, twice-weekly clinics for the assessment and early diagnosis-staging of patients suspected to have lung cancer
- Team of respiratory specialists, bronchoscopists, and nurses with expertise and experience in lung cancer management
- Supported by an expert multi-disciplinary team and an advanced interventional bronchoscopy service
2. Lung Cancer multi-disciplinary meetings
- Dedicated, weekly multi-disciplinary meetings to discuss all newly diagnosed and complex patients with lung cancer
- Attended by experts in lung cancer, including respiratory specialists, thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic pathologists, thoracic radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, palliative care physicians, and lung cancer nurses
3. Interventional bronchoscopy
We perform advanced, minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of lung cancers and related complications.
- Diagnostic bronchoscopy – Flexible bronchoscopy, linear and radial EBUS bronchoscopy, electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy
- Therapeutic bronchoscopy for complex/critical airways obstruction – Rigid bronchoscopy, laser, argon-plasma coagulation, cryo-therapy, tracheo-bronchial stents, balloon bronchoplasty, brachytherapy (with radiation oncology)
- Other – Bronchoscopic fiducial placement, endobronchial valves for bronchopleural fistula.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic pleuroscopy
4. Multi-specialty support for comprehensive lung cancer care
- Thoracic radiology – Diagnostic imaging (CT, ultrasound, MRI scans); image-guided lung biopsy
- Nuclear medicine – Whole-body PET scan
- Pathology – Rapid on-site cytology (ROSE); extended panel of immunohistochemical and next-generation cancer mutation testing of lung cancer
- Thoracic surgery – Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; mediastinoscopy
- Medical oncology – Chemotherapy; targeted therapy using biological agents and immunotherapy
- Radiation oncology – External beam radiotherapy; stereotactic (CyberKnife) radiotherapy; brachytherapy
- Palliative care – To optimise symptom control in early and advanced lung cancer
- Lung cancer nurses – Dedicated nurses who can support patients throughout their cancer journey
5. Research
Our team is committed to advancing research in lung cancer management. Patients have many opportunities to discuss and participate in our ongoing research studies in novel diagnostic imaging, bronchoscopic techniques and therapeutic interventions in lung cancer.
We welcome referrals for patients who would benefit from our lung cancer expertise. Please send all enquiries and referrals to [email protected].
Lung Cancer & Interventional Pulmonology
More people die from lung cancer in Australia than any other cancer. Early diagnosis of lung cancer is crucial to provide optimal treatments and achieve the best outcomes.
Our specialised Lung Cancer fast-track clinics are run twice weekly and are dedicated to urgent, comprehensive assessment of patients suspected to have lung cancer. Our caring, patient-focussed team can quickly diagnose and treat lung cancer and related complications using minimally invasive, state-of-art bronchoscopy and advanced interventional techniques.
We discuss the optimal treatment plan for every patient diagnosed with lung cancer with a multi-disciplinary team that includes experienced specialists from Respiratory, Oncology (for advanced treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and robotic radiosurgery), Thoracic Surgery (to remove early lung cancer through key-hole surgery), Imaging (PET, CT and MRI scans) and Pathology.
We can diagnose and treat your lung condition quickly, accurately and safely. If you have concerning symptoms such as worsening cough, chest pain, breathlessness, bringing up blood, or weight loss, we suggest that you contact your GP for an urgent assessment and referral.
For information and support, visit the Cancer Council of WA.
Nodule Clinic
Indeterminate lung nodules are common incidental finding have been the subject of considerable research in the last decade with increasing interest in screening for early lung cancer.
As most nodules are not a cancer but could be, most need follow up to ensure stability. The nature of this follow up has changed significantly in recent years and should now be based on nodule risk and background risk of the individual for lung cancer.
The lung nodule clinic offers specialised review of risk and bespoke follow up using state of the art risk-modelling and ultra-low dose CT techniques to minimise harm from medical radiation.
The clinic will review any indeterminate pulmonary nodule <10mm. Referrals should include smoking history and if there is a family history of lung cancer to facilitate proper assessment. Depending on complexity, the clinic can recommend a surveillance plan or may recommend continued follow up within the clinic.
Nodule Clinic
What is a lung ‘nodule’?
Commonly called a ‘spot on the lung’ or ‘area of shadowing’, a nodule is a round area that is more solid than normal lung tissue. It shows up as a white spot on a CT scan. Lung nodules are usually caused by scar tissue, a healed infection that never made you sick, or some irritant from the air.
Nodules are detected in up to half of patients who undergo CT scans. In these patients, very few lung nodules turn out to be a cancer. The best way to tell if a small nodule is possibly cancerous is for the specialist doctors to:
- see the special details of how it looks on the CT scan
- see if it grows over time
Our specialist team offers the most modern assessment of any nodules and will decide and discuss a follow up plan that is unique to you. We have access to the latest risk-assessment models and low dose CT scans, to ensure protection from unnecessary radiation.
It is normal for a bit of worry or anxiety when there is even a small chance that you have lung cancer. Please talk with our specialist team when you see them about any worries that you have.
Interventional Bronchoscopy Program
Interventional bronchoscopy is a new, niche sub-specialty in Australia specialising on the diagnosis/treatment of lung cancers and relieving severe breathlessness caused by airways obstruction using minimally invasive bronchoscopic interventions.
We offer a comprehensive interventional bronchoscopy service for all patients with lung cancer, complex/critical airways obstruction caused by advanced cancer, pleural disease, severe emphysema, and severe asthma. Our clinical-cum-training program in interventional bronchoscopy is the oldest of its kind in Australia.
We run interventional bronchoscopy clinics twice weekly and conduct multiple complex bronchoscopy sessions each week to facilitate urgent assessment of patients suspected to have lung cancer. Our experienced and skilled team of bronchoscopists can quickly diagnose lung (and other thoracic) cancers using minimally invasive, state-of-art endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy. Our expert interventional bronchoscopist also delivers advanced bronchoscopic interventions such as rigid bronchoscopy, airways stenting, laser, and cryotherapy in patients with complex/critical benign and malignant airways obstruction.
We also offer bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for severe emphysema (using endobronchial valves and bronchial thermal vapour ablation), bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma, and pleuroscopy for management of pleural effusions.
We can diagnose and treat your lung condition quickly, accurately, and safely. If you have concerning symptoms such as worsening cough, chest pain, breathlessness, noisy breathing, bringing up blood, or weight loss, we suggest that you contact your GP for an urgent assessment and referral.
For information and support, visit the Cancer Council of WA.
Interventional Bronchoscopy Program
Interventional bronchoscopy is a new, niche sub-specialty in Australia specialising on the diagnosis/treatment of lung cancers and relieving severe breathlessness caused by airways obstruction using minimally invasive bronchoscopic interventions.
We offer a comprehensive interventional bronchoscopy service for all patients with lung cancer, complex/critical airways obstruction caused by advanced cancer, pleural disease, severe emphysema, and severe asthma. Our clinical-cum-training program in interventional bronchoscopy is the oldest of its kind in Australia.
We run a pre-operative interventional bronchoscopy clinic weekly and multiple complex bronchoscopy sessions to facilitate urgent assessment of patients suspected to have lung cancer. Our experienced and skilled team of bronchoscopists can quickly diagnose lung (and other thoracic) cancers using minimally invasive, state-of-art endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy. Our expert interventional bronchoscopist also delivers advanced bronchoscopic interventions such as rigid bronchoscopy, airways stenting, laser, and cryotherapy in patients with complex/critical benign and malignant airways obstruction.
We also offer bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for severe emphysema (using endobronchial valves and bronchial thermal vapour ablation), bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma, and pleuroscopy for management of pleural effusions.
Our interventional bronchoscopy training program offers a funded one-year fellowship training each year designed to develop skills in advanced bronchoscopy techniques including EBUS, rigid bronchoscopy, airways stenting and cryotherapy.
Interventional Bronchoscopy Clinical Program
Our patients have access to a comprehensive range of advanced bronchoscopic interventions including –
1. Diagnostic Bronchoscopy – Bronchial wash, bronchial brush, endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) including cryo-lung biopsy, and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) using a variety of techniques including
- Flexible bronchoscopy
- Linear EBUS bronchoscopy
- Radial EBUS bronchoscopy
- Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy
- Ultra-thin bronchoscopy
2. Therapeutic Bronchoscopy – Management of complex/critical benign and malignant airways obstruction using a combination of techniques including
- Rigid bronchoscopy
- Tracheo-bronchial stents (self-expandable and silicone stents)
- Laser
- Argon-plasma coagulation
- Electro-cautery
- Cryo-therapy
- Balloon bronchoplasty
- Brachytherapy (with radiation oncology)
- Foreign body retrieval
- Therapeutic lavage
3. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction – For severe emphysema
- Endobronchial valves
- Bronchial thermal vapour ablation
4. Bronchial thermoplasty – For severe asthma
5. Other bronchoscopic procedures
- Bronchoscopic fiducial placement
- Endobronchial valves for bronchopleural fistula
6. Diagnostic and therapeutic pleuroscopy
We welcome referrals for patients who would benefit from our interventional bronchoscopy expertise. Please send all enquiries and referrals to [email protected] or [email protected].
Interventional Bronchoscopy Fellowship Training Program
Our interventional bronchoscopy fellowship training program is suitable for post-FRACP respiratory physicians and final year respiratory trainees interested in pursuing a sub-specialty career in lung cancer and interventional bronchoscopy. Fellows obtain extensive hands-on bronchoscopy experience, including in EBUS and rigid/complex bronchoscopy, under the direct supervision of an experienced interventional pulmonologist. Fellows obtain wide-ranging experience in the assessment/management of lung cancers and critical central airways obstruction. They manage a busy case load of patients with lung (and other thoracic) cancers and actively participate in weekly lung cancer multidisciplinary meetings. Participation in clinical research is compulsory with ample opportunities to be involved in research studies in novel diagnostic imaging, bronchoscopic techniques, and therapeutic bronchoscopy interventions in lung cancer.
We welcome enquiries and expressions of interest (EOI) from respiratory trainees and junior specialists who are keen to pursue a career in lung cancer and interventional pulmonology and wish to develop advanced bronchoscopy skills. Please send your enquiries/EOIs to [email protected].
Occupational Lung Disease Clinic
Our clinic has particular expertise in asbestos and silica related lung diseases and will see anyone with suspected occupational pulmonary disease. This clinic works closely with the Asbestos Review Program {link}.
We offer a specialised service including the latest CT technology to diagnose occupational lung disease and a specialist multidisciplinary team to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Occupational Lung Disease Clinic
Exposures to dusts fumes and vapours can cause lung diseases and there has been increasing concern over silica dust causing lung disease.
Our clinic has particular expertise in asbestos and silica related lung diseases and will see anyone with suspected work-related lung illness. We offer a specialised service including the latest CT technology to diagnose occupational lung disease and a specialist multidisciplinary team to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Pleural Diseases
The Pleural Medicine Unit is regarded as one of the most active pleural research groups in the world, and uniquely combines a clinical and a laboratory arm closely integrated with the most active tertiary pleural services in Australasia. The clinical service of the Unit is based at the Respiratory Dept of the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The clinical and laboratory research is based at the University of Western Australia and the Institute for Respiratory Health.
The program focuses on translational research in common pleural diseases, especially cancer and infection, with a strong publication record on clinical trials from Phase I to multicentre randomised trials (RCTs). This is complemented by laboratory research in molecular biology. The focus is to undertake translational research and develop management strategies to improve patient care. Patient mortality and morbidity in malignant pleural effusion have improved as a direct result of this research with the subsequent improvement in clinical practice.
The now established use of indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) services in Western Australia and the treatment of pleural infection using novel intrapleural therapies has also positively impacted on patient care and the patient experience.
Pleural Clinic
‘Pleural’ disease is a problem with the lining of the lung. This can cause a collection of fluid within the chest, or even air causing the lung to collapse.
The SCGH pleural clinic is one of the most active and advanced specialist clinics of its type in the world. Our specialist team has introduced new treatments which have transformed the care of patients in WA.
The pleural clinic offers a rapid access clinic with specialist ultrasound and clinical review on the day of your visit.
Joint Speech Pathology Airways Clinic (JSPAC)
Chronic cough has a huge impact on quality of life and often goes untreated. To address this, SCGH has a dedicated cough clinic run as a collaboration between Respiratory and Speech Pathology. We use a systematic and evidence-based approach to identify and treat drivers of cough, and to address cough reflex hypersensitivity.
If you are referring an individual for their cough, please be aware that we:
- May arrange investigations prior to their attendance
- Are likely to undertake nasendoscopy at their visit
- Aim to see people in person only once or twice.
We welcome referrals from primary care and other specialists.
If you have a clinical query regarding cough, please email [email protected]
Joint Speech Pathology Airways Clinic (JSPAC)
The neck and throat are very complex structures that allow us to swallow, breathe and talk. Sometimes things go wrong, and the throat can narrow inappropriately and often suddenly making it difficult for someone to breathe. Other people have a very sensitive cough reflex and are easily triggered into coughing bouts.
We run a joint clinic toprovide care for people with both lung disease and middle airway problems. We use a flexible camera to examine the throat (nasendoscopy). For some people we do this during exercise (CLE): at present we are the only CLE service in Australia.