Dr Peter Hawkins

Dr Peter Hawkins is a highly experienced respiratory physician with over 30 years in the field, specialising in conditions that affect the lungs and breathing — from coughs that simply won't go away to complex lung diseases.

How Dr Hawkins can help you

If you have been troubled by a persistent cough, find yourself breathless doing things that never used to be a problem, or have been told you might have a lung condition, Dr Hawkins offers prompt, expert assessment in a calm and unhurried environment.

He has special expertise in the conditions below and sees both new patients and those seeking a second opinion.

Chronic Cough

A cough lasting more than eight weeks is called a chronic cough. It is more common than most people realise, and often has treatable causes — but finding the right one takes expertise. Dr Hawkins is one of the UK's leading specialists in this area and has dedicated clinics focused entirely on difficult or persistent coughs. Whether your cough keeps you awake at night, triggers with talking or exercise, or has simply been going on for months or years without a clear explanation, he can help.

Breathlessness

Feeling unexpectedly short of breath — on the stairs, walking to the car, or even at rest — is always worth investigating. It can have many causes, some straightforward and some that need treatment. Dr Hawkins will carry out a careful assessment to find out exactly why you are breathless and what can be done about it, rather than leaving you with unanswered questions.

Asthma

Asthma causes the airways to become inflamed and narrow, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, coughing (particularly at night), and breathlessness. It can affect people at any age and symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Dr Hawkins can confirm whether asthma is the right diagnosis, review whether your current treatment is working, and make sure your condition is as well-controlled as possible so it has the least impact on your daily life.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Interstitial lung disease is the name for a group of conditions that cause scarring or inflammation of the lung tissue. This can make the lungs stiff and reduce their ability to absorb oxygen. Symptoms include a dry cough and gradually worsening breathlessness. The conditions within this group — which include pulmonary fibrosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis — can be difficult to diagnose and require specialist experience to manage well. Dr Hawkins has extensive expertise in this area and works closely with radiologists and other specialists to give patients a thorough evaluation and a clear plan.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD is a long-term lung condition — most commonly caused by smoking — that makes it progressively harder to breathe. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Dr Hawkins undertook dedicated research into COPD at King's College Hospital and has been managing the condition for over three decades. He can assess how severe your COPD is, review your inhalers and treatment, and help you understand how to live as well as possible with the condition.

Other Lung Conditions

Dr Hawkins also has expertise in a wide range of other respiratory conditions including bronchiectasis (widening of the airways leading to recurrent chest infections), sarcoidosis, chest infections, and pleural disease (problems with the lining of the lung). If you have a chest or breathing problem and are not sure who to see, a consultation with Dr Hawkins is an excellent starting point.

Background & training

Dr Hawkins qualified in medicine from St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London in 1990. He went on to train in respiratory medicine at some of the UK's most respected centres, including the Royal Brompton Hospital in London — a world-renowned institution for lung and heart disease.

He then spent three years undertaking specialist clinical research at King's College Hospital, focusing on COPD. This academic grounding means his approach to patient care is rooted in evidence — he keeps up to date with the latest research so that you benefit from the most current treatments and thinking.

Alongside his clinical work, Dr Hawkins is the Respiratory System Lead at Anglia Ruskin School of Medicine, where he is responsible for training the next generation of doctors. His NHS base is Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust, where he works as a consultant respiratory physician.

He also runs the Harley Street Cough Clinic, a specialist service dedicated to the assessment and treatment of chronic and difficult coughs — a reflection of his particular commitment to this often under-served group of patients.

What to expect at your appointment

Appointments are unhurried and thorough — the priority is to understand your symptoms fully and give you a clear explanation of what is happening.

A detailed conversation about your symptoms. Dr Hawkins will listen carefully to your story — how long you've had the problem, what makes it better or worse, and how it's affecting your life. No question is too small.

Examination and tests. Depending on your symptoms, he may arrange breathing tests (lung function / spirometry), a chest X-ray, CT scan, or blood tests — all of which can be arranged quickly.

A clear diagnosis and plan. You will leave with a proper explanation of what is wrong, what the options are, and what will happen next. If further specialist input is needed, Dr Hawkins can make the right referrals.

You can be seen with or without a GP referral letter, though a referral is helpful where one is available.