What is invasive ventilation weaning service?
Invasive ventilation weaning is a specialist service that supports patients in transitioning from mechanical ventilation to breathing more independently. It is a highly complex process that requires considerable medical expertise, careful judgement and a fully personalised programme of care.
Our specialists are highly experienced in judging the right moment for a patient to transition to non-invasive ventilation.
Our specialists deliver this service at Royal Brompton Hospital, one of the UK’s leading centres for complex lung care.
Experts in respiratory care
Our specialist respiratory services include:
- short-notice appointments in as little as 24 hours
- fast and accurate diagnosis
- an in-depth assessment and fully personalised treatment plan
What does ventilation weaning treatment include?
Treatment for the invasive ventilation weaning service includes:
- non-invasive weaning
- physiotherapy
- speech and language therapy
- occupational therapy
Benefits of the invasive ventilation weaning service
Weaning patients off mechanical ventilation can be the first step towards discharge from hospital and domiciliary (at home) ventilation or care. Once successfully weaned off invasive ventilation, many patients will experience a vastly improved quality of life, which can include unimpeded speech and feeding.
What are the risks of the invasive ventilation weaning service?
Weaning a patient off invasive ventilation is highly complex and the risks and benefits are very carefully considered before any decisions are taken. The main risk with this service is that a person’s lungs may not be able to function without the constant help of a mechanical ventilator. However, this is very carefully and constantly monitored by our specialists.
Weaning can be the best option when the risks associated with remaining on mechanical ventilation – pneumonia, stenosis and respiratory muscle deconditioning, for example – outweigh the risks of weaning.
If you have more questions about the invasive ventilation weaning service or would like to enquire, speak to our team to book an appointment.
Are there any alternatives to the invasive ventilation weaning service?
There is often no alternative to invasive weaning for patients with complex lung conditions. As a result, the only alternative to invasive ventilation weaning is for a patient to remain on a mechanical ventilator.
Where specialists believe it is possible and safe to wean a patient off, a specialist programme of care will be devised following in-depth analysis. In the event that a patient cannot be weaned from invasive mechanical ventilation the team are also able to advise on the creation of a home ventilation program.
Judging in advance whether a patient can be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation can be a delicate judgement so it is helpful if the most up to date and detailed medical reports can be provided. Sometimes it is helpful for one of our consultants to visit the patients in their hospital prior to transfer to Royal Brompton Hospital.
Locations
We deliver this service in the following location:
Reviewed regularly to reflect clinical best practice
Last reviewed: 09 June 2026
Meet our respiratory medicine experts
At Royal Brompton Hospital, the following consultants can treat private patients who require the intensive ventilation weaning service:
- Dr Matthew Hind – Consultant respiratory physician
- Professor Michael Polkey – Consultant respiratory physician