Dr Rakesh Panchal

Dr Panchal studied Medicine at the University of Leicester, graduating with Honours and achieving first place in his year. In recognition of his exceptional academic performance, he was awarded the prestigious Faculty of Medicine Gold Medal. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Following his medical training, Dr Panchal specialised in Respiratory Medicine at Glenfield Hospital. He subsequently completed the highly regarded Darzi Clinical Leadership Fellowship, earning a Master's degree in Research Translational Management. His research into strategies for tuberculosis (TB) screening and prevention in the UK was published in the internationally respected journal Thorax. He has also undertaken training at the Global TB Institute and has presented his work at conferences across the UK, Europe, and the United States. In 2013, Dr Panchal was appointed Consultant Respiratory Physician with a specialist interest in Interventional Pulmonology at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. He is a member of the Institute for Lung Health and leads the region’s tertiary pleural disease and interventional pulmonology services, for which he has received several Clinical Excellence Awards. He also directs a highly regarded Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship programme, attracting trainees from both the UK and overseas. Having trained extensively in advanced interventional respiratory procedures throughout the UK and Europe, Dr Panchal combines his clinical expertise with a strong commitment to medical education. He serves as an Honorary Associate Professor in respiratory sciences at the University of Leicester, a MRCP examiner for the Royal College of Physicians. In addition, he is a BTS/RCP Regional Specialty Advisor for Respiratory Medicine, and organiser of practical training courses in pleural procedures. Dr Panchal is actively involved in multicentre research studies and regularly lectures and delivers workshops both nationally and internationally. He is a sought-after speaker at respiratory medicine conferences worldwide. Outside medicine, Dr Panchal is married to a dermatologist and is the father of twins. His interests include international travel, aviation, and literature from the Indian subcontinent. He is fluent in Gujarati, proficient in Hindi, and is pleased to offer consultations in both languages.

Unexplained Cough Unexplained Breathlessness Pleural effusion Pleural disease Pneumothorax Lung Cancer  Wheeze Asthma COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis) Emphysema Pneumonia and lung infections Tuberculosis Acute and chronic bronchitis Lung fibrosis Sarcoidosis Bronchiectasis Pulmonary embolism Obstructive sleep apnoea Abnormal chest x-rays and CT scans Respiratory failure