Dr Tom Ward

I am currently an NIHR Advanced Fellow at the University of Leicester and Honorary Respiratory Consultant at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. My research focuses on breathlessness diagnostics and improving access to care for people with COPD including pulmonary rehabilitation. I completed my PhD in 2020 investigating the role of novel exercise modalities for people with COPD. 

I'm passionate about improving the care of people with respiratory disease through research, particularly focusing on non-pharmacological interventions and integrated care for people with COPD. I am a member of the British Thoracic Society COPD Specialist Advisory Group and the European Respiratory Society Guideline Methodology Network.

I am involved in a number of research projects involving the management of people with COPD and breathlessness, particularly focused around the role of exercise based interventions. I am lead research on an ARC East Midlands grant investigating the effective components of pulmonary rehabilitation using component network meta-analysis. I am PI on a study of home based blood flow restricted exercise training in COPD. I an co-investigator for a EPSRC Rehabilitation Technologies Network grant investigation the potential of a smartphone based method of assessing breathing pattern using optoelectronic plethysmography.

Current students:

Ebtihal Alharbi - Developing a screening tool for lung volume reduction eligibility

Hanoof Aljohani - Blood flow restricted exercise training for people with COPD

I regularly teach medical students and am an examiner for medical school exams.

COPD

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Integrated care

Breathlessness diagnosis and management

Evidence synthesis

MBBS, BSc, PhD, MRCP