Dr Mathina Darmalingam

Qualifications

MB ChB (UCT) FCP (SA) FRCP (London)

GMC number: 4060972

Practising since: 1991 (medical qualification) Consultant practice since early 2000s

Specialties

Respiratory Medicine

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About

Dr Mathina Darmalingam is an experienced Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and General Internal Medicine, specialising in the diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic lung disease. She practises at Whipps Cross University Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust, where she also serves as Clinical Director for Specialist Medicine.

She completed her medical training at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa, followed by specialist training in Intensive Care Medicine (ICU/ITU) at University College London Hospital (UCLH). Her early consultant career included three years at King’s College Hospital, before joining Barts Health.

Dr Darmalingam has extensive expertise across the full spectrum of respiratory disorders, including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, sleep‑disordered breathing, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, pleural disease and complex respiratory infections. She is particularly recognised for her leadership in tuberculosis (TB) care and her ability to manage complex, multi‑system presentations.

Her approach is thorough, evidence‑based and patient‑centred, ensuring clear diagnosis, tailored treatment plans and high‑quality ongoing care.

Special interests

Dr Darmalingam manages the full spectrum of respiratory and chest conditions, with particular expertise in:

Airflow (Obstructive) Lung Diseases

  • Asthma

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Chronic cough (persistent cough assessment and management)

Sleep‑Related Breathing Disorders

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

  • Sleep‑disordered breathing

Interstitial & Inflammatory Lung Disease

  • Interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pulmonary fibrosis

  • Sarcoidosis

Respiratory Infections

  • Pneumonia

  • Tuberculosis (TB) — diagnosis, treatment and prevention

  • Other acute and chronic respiratory infections

Lung Cancer

  • Bronchogenic carcinoma — diagnostic evaluation and ongoing management

Pleural Disease

  • Pleural effusion

  • Pneumothorax

  • Other conditions affecting the pleura (lining of the lungs)

Bronchiectasis

  • Assessment and long‑term management of bronchiectasis

Critical & Acute Respiratory Conditions

  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

  • Acute respiratory failure and complex respiratory presentations

Procedural Expertise

  • Flexible bronchoscopy


Other interests

Dr Darmalingam’s specialist clinical interests include:

  • Asthma and COPD

  • Chronic cough

  • Sleep apnoea and sleep‑disordered breathing

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

  • Lung cancer (bronchogenic carcinoma)

  • Pneumonia and complex respiratory infections

  • Tuberculosis (TB) — diagnosis, treatment and prevention

  • Bronchiectasis

  • Pleural disease (pleural effusion, pneumothorax)

  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

  • Flexible bronchoscopy for airway and lung evaluation

Personal interests

  • Fluent in English and Afrikaans

  • Committed to medical leadership, service development and improving respiratory pathways across North East London

    • Locations Dr Mathina Darmalingam works with

    Related experience

    Research

    Dr Darmalingam is actively involved in clinical research and serves as a Principal Investigator on multiple respiratory trials. Her research contributes to advances in:

    • TB management

    • Interstitial lung disease

    • Respiratory infection pathways

    • Critical care and acute respiratory failure

    She regularly collaborates with national research networks and supports the development of evidence‑based respiratory practice.

    Memberships

    • Royal College of Physicians (RCP)
    • North East London TB Clinical Forum — Chair
    • Barts Health NHS Trust — Clinical Director for Specialist Medicine

    Other posts held

    • Consultant Respiratory Physician, Barts Health NHS Trust (Whipps Cross Hospital)

    Insurers Dr Mathina Darmalingam works with

    Dr Mathina Darmalingam works with the following private medical insurance providers:

    • AXA Health
    • Bupa
    • Aviva Health
    • Healix
    • Standard Life
    • Vitality Health (Pru Health)
    • WPA
    • Simplyhealth
    • Cigna
    • First Health Trusts Limited
    • The Exeter