Dr Graham Burns

Respiratory Physician, Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle.
President of the British Thoracic Society.

Graham Burns began academic life as a mathematician before studying medicine. His clinical work (prior to the pandemic) has principally been in COPD and in asthma. He led on the Early Diagnostics pathway work stream with the NHS. At the start of the first wave of the COVID pandemic he set up his hospital's Respiratory Support (CPAP) Unit and designed the respiratory support escalations protocol, later published by the British Thoracic Society as a national guide. He also authored national guidance on shielding principles published by the BTS and referenced by the RCP and NHSE. Early after the first wave of the pandemic he set up a post-COVID Assessment Clinic with MDT review including physical and psychological components of the condition. This model formed the basis for the subsequent National Service Specification on which he was principle advisor to NHSE. Specialist advisor to NHSE Data, Analysis and Intelligence Service on resource planning for onward referral impact.