Being referred to a Respiratory Specialist can feel overwhelming — particularly if you’re dealing with a new diagnosis, persistent symptoms, or an abnormal test result. At Southwest Pulmonary & Sleep Centre (SWCPC) in Oran Park, we understand that choosing the right specialist is an important decision. This guide is designed to help South West Sydney patients understand what to look for and what to expect.
What Qualifications Should a Respiratory Specialist Have?
In Australia, a qualified Respiratory Specialist (also called a Respiratory Physician) holds:
- MBBS or equivalent — medical degree from a recognised university
- Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) — the gold standard specialist qualification in Australia
- AHPRA registration as a specialist physician in respiratory and sleep medicine
All three of our Respiratory Specialists at SWCPC hold FRACP and maintain specialist registration with AHPRA. They hold staff specialist positions at major Sydney hospitals including Campbelltown Hospital and Bankstown Hospital, and hold conjoint lecturer positions at UNSW and Western Sydney University — demonstrating ongoing commitment to evidence-based practice.
Questions to Ask Before Your First Appointment
- Does the specialist have experience with my specific condition? — ask your GP or the clinic reception
- Is lung function testing available on-site? — having testing and consultations in one place saves time and reduces wait
- How long is the wait for an appointment? — particularly important for urgent referrals
- What are the fees and Medicare rebates? — always worth confirming upfront
- Does the specialist have hospital affiliations? — useful if you need inpatient care or complex procedures
Why Local Matters for Respiratory Care
Respiratory conditions often require multiple visits — for initial consultation, investigations, results review, and ongoing management. Choosing a Respiratory Specialist close to home in South West Sydney reduces travel burden, particularly for patients with breathlessness or fatigue who find long journeys difficult.
SWCPC in Oran Park is ideally placed for patients from Camden, Narellan, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills, Harrington Park, Liverpool, and Leppington — typically within 15–25 minutes’ drive, with free parking available at TRN House.
What to Bring to Your First Respiratory Specialist Appointment
- Your GP referral letter
- Medicare card and any health fund details
- List of current medications
- Any previous chest X-rays, CT scans, or lung function results (on disc or printed report)
- A list of your symptoms — when they started, what makes them better or worse
- Any previous specialist letters or hospital discharge summaries
Our Respiratory Specialist Team at SWCPC Oran Park
Our three specialist Respiratory Physicians bring a combined wealth of experience across general respiratory medicine, sleep medicine, lung cancer, COPD, ILD, and interventional pulmonology:
- Dr Saurabh Gupta — Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Specialist, Staff Specialist Bankstown Hospital
- Dr Haider Naqvi — Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Specialist, Staff Specialist Campbelltown Hospital
- Dr Shervin Amirmalek — Respiratory Physician, Director of Training Bankstown Hospital, interventional pulmonology specialist
Book a Respiratory Specialist Appointment in Oran Park
To book at SWCPC, simply ask your GP for a referral to Southwest Pulmonary & Sleep Centre in Oran Park, then call us on (02) 4607 5010.
Address: Level 2, Suite 2.12, TRN House, 90 Podium Way, Oran Park NSW 2570
Phone: (02) 4607 5010
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
