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Dr Spears graduated from Glasgow University Medical school in 2000 with commendation, and a 1st Class Honours in his intercalated degree (Neuroscience), and gained his CCT in Respiratory and General Medicine in 2014.

Following completion of his house jobs he spent several years working in academic centres in England, initially the Queens Medical Centre Nottingham Medical Rotation, followed by the Royal Brompton Hospital Respiratory Unit (Severe Asthma & ILD firms) in London.

Upon returning to Glasgow, and after working as an SHO3 in Respiratory Medicine at Stobhill Hospital, he became a Research Fellow with Professor NC Thomson at the University of Glasgow, undertaking research into steroid insensitive inflammatory processes in airways disease. This led onto a Clinical Lecturer post at the University of Glasgow, allowing further research to be undertaken into this field, leading to multiple publications. During this period he also gained experience in the management of severe Bronchiectasis through prolonged attachments to the West of Scotland Cystic Fibrosis service. He also has extensive experience in the assessment of sleep issues as a result of working in several units with busy sleep & ventilation services (Nottingham, Royal Brompton, Gartnavel and Glasgow Royal Infirmary).

He currently works at Perth Royal Infirmary, and is an honorary senior teacher at the University of Dundee.

Given his interest in airways disease Dr Spears obtained a MSc in Allergy via Imperial College, to ensure appropriate training in the management of common allergic conditions in adults. His disseration topic addressed perceived penicillin allergy. This led onto an interest in Penicillin Allergy delabelling, with his contributing to national bodies on this process, and his undertaking this activity as part of routine clincial care.

He has continued to research active, and he has acted as Principal Investigator on several trials focused on respiratory disease, and is the Chief Investigator on a large trial examining the genetic causes of a common cause of interstitial lung disease, known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (see https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03747627).

Diseases, Medical Tests and Treatments

Performing and interpreting lung function tests (additional fees apply)

Interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing results (additional fees apply)

Penicillin allergy delabelling (requires daycase approach, additional fees will apply)

Skin prick testing for common aeroallergens (additional fees apply)

• Allergy; experienced in Penicillin Allergy Delabelling and treatment of Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema
• Asthma
• Assessment and treatment of chronic breathlessness
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic cough
• COPD
• Interstitial lung diseases, including sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis
• Sleep issues
• Undiagnosed wheezing