Two local clinical scientists were amongst the award winners at the recent Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) Gala Awards in Brighton. The ARTP is the UK professional body for staff in lung function and sleep departments.

Dr James Stockley, Clinical Scientist in Respiratory Physiology and Hon. Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, collected his award for Best Respiratory Physiology Poster Presentation on his work on E-cigarettes.

Richard Glover, Clinical Senior Respiratory Physiologist at Good Hope Hospital, also won the Best Sleep Physiology Poster award for his work on sleep apnoea patients compliance with CPAP treatment.

James explained what his poster was about: “Following up an idea from Prof Brendan Cooper, this was a pilot study to investigate the short term effects of E-Cig vaping on lung function. So far, we have undertaken this using 10 healthy volunteers, some of who were UHB staff.”

James found that in the majority, lung function did not change after E-Cig vaping but it was notable that in all 10 volunteers, there were significant increases in both airway resistance and exhaled carbon monoxide.

He added: “This is only a pilot study and we need to investigate further to determine if these are true effects of E-Cigs, but it does suggest there may be some adverse short-term effects of E-Cig vaping on lung function. We are now planning to monitor these effects in patients with lung disease, predominantly COPD and asthma.”

Another QEHB winner was Jodie Hunt, Senior Chief Clinical Respiratory Physiologist, who picked up an award for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Respiratory Medicine and services to national training’. Jodie is the Operational Lead in Lung Function and Sleep and is noted for her “exceptional clinical service.”

Delighted by all the awards Prof Cooper added: “Respiratory Physiology UHB, which includes all the respiratory and sleep departments across the UHB Hospital sites, is alive and kicking. By working closely together and supporting each other’s research over several years, it is already reaping rewards for UHB. I’m encouraged that the respiratory and sleep physiology teams will continue to work closely together across all the sites and keep delivering this excellence in training, research and service that benefits all our patients across Birmingham.”