Lung disease is a common problem in the Australian population. Asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), lung cancer, sleep apnoea, ventilatory failure, and interstitial lung disease (to name a few) need specialized respiratory care. The group of physicians are involved in specialty clinics in these disorders and have considerable expertise. Specialized procedures such as endobronchial ultrasound, tunnelled pleural catheter insertion, and lung cryobiopsy can be coordinated through this centre. A rapid access clinic for complex respiratory conditions including thoracic malignancy will be offered.
Symptom based assessment. SAMS brings under one roof, specialists who deal with common respiratory symptoms. A cough clinic will be on offer with respiratory and ENT specialists collaborating in the patients’ care when needed. A similar approach is envisaged in the assessment of breathlessness. Respiratory and cardiology specialists will be able to provide comprehensive assessment of the lungs and the heart, at the same location.