University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has become one of a handful of centres in the country to offer NHS clinics for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

UHB has been leading research into AATD for a number of years through our research arm, known as ADAPT, and we now offer NHS clinics on a wider basis at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

QEHB’s standing as a centre able to offer the multidisciplinary care, and ultimately lung or liver transplantation that AATD patients may need, alongside a support system for rare diseases, have been important factors in allowing us to set up this service.

Our NHS service is primarily focussed on lung disease and is led by Professor Alice Turner, but we also have specific pathways set up for patients who have liver disease or skin problems related to AATD. The liver service is headed by hepatologist Prof Phil Newsome, and the skin service by dermatologist Dr Ser-Ling Chua. When we receive referral letters from GPs or other consultants to the NHS service these are carefully read by a respiratory consultant in the AATD service before booking the appointment, so that we can arrange for the right doctors to see each individual.

The respiratory clinics run on Thursdays and we try to ensure that any required tests, such as lung function, are done on the same day. Where possible we do this for all patients, although we do prioritise the same day service for those who are travelling further to see us.

If you wish to be seen in our service we will need an electronic referral from your GP, or a referral letter from another healthcare professional (e.g. hospital consultant), which should be sent to Professor Alice Turner:

Professor Alice Turner (Respiratory)
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
Birmingham, B15 2GW