Dr Smith has been involved with the Society for over 20 years, making significant contributions to the work of the BTS in support of the respiratory profession and its patients.
David was appointed in Bristol in 1996 where he worked as a full time NHS consultant until his retirement this year. He was Clinical Dean at Frenchay and then Academy Medical Dean at Southmead over a 15 year period until 2012, looking after undergraduates from the University of Bristol.
He became involved with postgraduate education as a member of the regional training committee in 2006 and began working with the BTS the same year as a member of the Education and Training Committee. He was elected to the BTS Council in 2010 and joined the BTS Standards of Care Committee (SoCC) at the same time. He subsequently became Chair of the Committee during a time which saw several significant developments in its work.
He became Training Programme Director for the Southwest and joined the Specialist Advisory Committee at the Royal College of Physicians in 2011. In 2012 he was appointed Chair of the Standards of Care Committee, joined the BTS Executive Committee and became a Trustee. On demitting from the SoCC in 2015 David took on the Chair of the Respiratory Specialist Advisory Committee of the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) and continued to work closely with the BTS from that post.
During his time as SoCC Chair and subsequently David has led the adoption of GRADE methodology for BTS Guideline development and nurtured a number of guidelines to publication including jointly chairing the recent macrolide guideline with Dr Ingrid Du Rand. As SAC Chair, David has strengthened the ties between the BTS and the college helping to integrate educational policy for respiratory trainees.
The Society owes David a huge debt of gratitude for the work he has undertaken, while never stepping back from his busy clinical commitments.
About the BTS Meritorious Service Award.
This award is intended to recognise the service of those BTS members who have provided an exceptional service to the Society far above that which one would normally expect for their position/role, an exceptional service to the Society over a far longer period than would normally be the case or a service to the Society in particularly difficult or delicate or trying circumstances.
London, London WC1N 2PL
10/12/2025 05:46:30
British Thoracic Society
