Professor Stuart Elborn CBE, consultant in respiratory medicine and internationally recognised specialist in the care of people with cystic fibrosis, joined Royal Brompton Hospital on 1 October as clinical professor of respiratory medicine, and centre director for specialist adult cystic fibrosis.
Professor Elborn joins from his position as dean of the school of medicine, dentistry and biomedical sciences at Queen’s University, Belfast. He trained in Belfast and helped develop cystic fibrosis centres in Nottingham and Cardiff, before returning to the city to set up a clinical centre for adults with cystic fibrosis in Belfast City Hospital in 1995. The centre has developed to become one of the largest and most influential in Europe.
Professor Elborn was one of the longest-serving presidents of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society, holding the role between 2007 and 2015. He has also spent time as a trustee and chair of the research and medical advisory committees of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (2002 to 2014) and currently sits on the scientific advisory board. In 2012 he received a CBE for services to healthcare in Northern Ireland. Professor Elborn also leads research programmes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and bronchiectasis.
Dr Richard Grocott-Mason, medical director of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the Trust. He is, of course, no stranger to Royal Brompton, through various collaborations and our shared support for, and responsibilities with, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. But tempting him across the sea is a real boost for the hospital and respiratory patients. We all very much look forward to working with him.”
Dr Andrew Menzies-Gow, director of the Trust’s lung division, added: “Stuart joins us at an exciting time for cystic fibrosis, with research into the condition yielding significant breakthroughs and a number of new treatments offering much-improved outcomes. He is a very welcome addition to the team and our patients with cystic fibrosis stand to benefit considerably from his clinical expertise and leadership skills.”
Professor Elborn added: “Royal Brompton’s cystic fibrosis unit has set the standard in patient care and research since its launch back in the 1960s. I have worked closely with colleagues from the hospital for many years, and sit alongside them in various roles in the cystic fibrosis community. I am delighted to be joining such a well-respected and dynamic team and with them, look forward to furthering developments in cystic fibrosis research and care.”
Professor Diana Bilton, former clinical lead for cystic fibrosis, retired from clinical practice in August 2015 but remains an honorary consultant at the Trust. She is active in various programmes to optimise the quality of cystic fibrosis care.
Royal Brompton Hospital's cystic fibrosis centre is one of the largest in Europe. It is a world leader in the development of new treatments and has become a model for other units in the UK and Europe.