Jim Macfarlane Consultant Respiratory Physician Newcastle

Jim Macfarlane Consultant Respiratory Physician Newcastle

Jim Macfarlane Consultant Respiratory Physician Newcastle delivers expert respiratory and general internal medicine care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. He focuses on tuberculosis, complex respiratory infection, and occupational lung disease. His work combines clinical excellence with a deep commitment to patient care and medical education.

Career Journey of Jim Macfarlane Consultant Respiratory Physician Newcastle

Dr Jim Macfarlane trained at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, graduating in 2004. He then completed clinical training in Northampton, Exeter, and South-East Scotland. In 2009, he moved to the North-East and undertook respiratory training while completing a PhD at Newcastle University. His research explored neutrophil biology in acute lung injury under a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellowship. He developed expertise in TB, complex lung infection, and occupational lung disease during these years.

Leadership in the North of Tyne Tuberculosis Service

Dr Macfarlane leads the North of Tyne TB Service. He works closely with infectious disease specialists, TB nurses, laboratory teams, and public health experts. Together, they identify and treat active TB early. They also perform contact screening and manage latent TB. The service offers advanced care for multidrug-resistant TB across the North-East. Dr Macfarlane established a bimonthly TB multidisciplinary meeting to improve care coordination. Additionally, he co-organises the North-East TB Network meeting, bringing together clinicians, scientists, and nurses to share expertise.

Advancing the Occupational Lung Disease Service

As the regional lead for the Occupational Lung Disease Service, Dr Macfarlane provides specialist assessments for occupational asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and dust-related lung diseases. Conditions such as asbestosis and silicosis also fall under his care. The service accepts referrals from GPs, respiratory consultants, and occupational physicians. Diagnostic methods include airway responsiveness testing, peak flow analysis, and workplace visits. Dr Macfarlane’s leadership in this service places him among the country’s top occupational respiratory disease specialists. He contributes nationally through GORDS and the British Thoracic Society Occupational and Environmental Disease Specialist Advisory Group.

Commitment to Medical Education

Dr Macfarlane serves as lead tutor for the Foundation Programme in Newcastle. He supports the educational development of over 140 foundation trainees. His teaching extends to undergraduate medicine, where he lectures, mentors, and supervises students. He believes in shaping the next generation of medical leaders through hands-on learning and consistent guidance.

Life Beyond Medicine

Outside the hospital, Dr Macfarlane enjoys the outdoors. He spends time mountaineering, ski touring, camping, and wild swimming. He often explores Northumberland, the Lake District, and Scotland with family and friends. These pursuits help him balance the demands of his professional life with personal well-being.