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A nationally-recognised respiratory training course led by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has celebrated a major milestone after marking its 20th year of educating clinicians from across the UK and beyond.
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) Interventional Bronchoscopy / Thoracoscopy Short Course, organised by Respiratory Consultant Professor Mohammed Munavvar, has been delivered annually for two decades - including online sessions during COVID - and has trained more than 600 doctors in advanced respiratory procedures.
Hosted in Preston at the Marriott in Broughton, the intensive two-day course attracts consultants and specialist registrars from across the UK, as well as international delegates from countries including Sweden, Germany, Singapore, India and the United States.
Established following the introduction of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) at the Trust more than 20 years ago, the course was developed to address a growing need for specialist training in advanced bronchoscopy and pleural procedures.
Delivered in partnership with the British Thoracic Society, it remains the only national BTS course of its kind in the country.
Prof. Munavvar said: “When we first established the course, our aim was simple - to ensure clinicians had access to high-quality, hands-on training in the latest respiratory procedures.
“Twenty years later, we’ve trained more than 600 doctors, many of whom have gone on to establish new services in their own organisations, benefiting thousands of NHS patients.
“To see the course continue to thrive and maintain the highest standards under the British Thoracic Society is something we are incredibly proud of.”
The course combines expert-led lectures with practical workshops, allowing delegates to gain hands-on experience using specialist equipment and simulation models under the guidance of experienced faculty members.
A multidisciplinary team from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals including Drs Syed Mehdi, Sharada Gudur, Suman Paul, DonSugeesha Wickramasinghe, Sanjeewa Hettiarachchi and Staff Nurses Janet Mills, Pepa Crank, Jees John and Georgeena Mathew played a key role in delivering the training in the practical sessions, alongside faculty members from leading centres across the UK and Europe.
Each year the course undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process, with participant feedback reviewed by the British Thoracic Society’s education and training committee before approval is granted for the following year.
The programme has helped introduce clinicians to new technologies and techniques, while also supporting the development of respiratory services across the NHS.
Prof. Munavvar added: “Ultimately, everything we do is about improving patient care. By sharing knowledge, skills and experience, we help clinicians deliver safer, more effective services for patients in their own communities.”
The milestone also highlights the contribution of the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, whose support helped establish the Trust’s early EBUS service and laid the foundations for the course’s long-term success.
As respiratory medicine continues to evolve, the team is already looking ahead to future innovations and the next generation of clinicians who will benefit from the programme.
