Dr Michael Batley

Dr Michael Batley is a highly experienced consultant rheumatologist based in Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone, with private practices at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital, The Royal Tunbridge Wells Clinic, KIMS Hospital, and Fordcombe Hospital. He specialises in early inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis, offering expert care in diagnosing and managing complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Dr Batley is the senior rheumatology consultant at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, where he leads both the complex rheumatology service and the early rheumatoid arthritis service for West Kent.

Dr Batley trained in rheumatology at Guy’s, St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospitals, and holds a Master’s degree in rheumatology. He became a consultant in 2003 and has since played a key role in developing regional rheumatology services, establishing specialist clinics for lupus, early synovitis, and biologic therapies. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and has held several leadership roles within Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, including Clinical Governance Lead for Medicine, Clinical Director, Local Negotiating Committee Chairperson and Rheumatology Clinical Lead. He was Chair of the Kent and Medway Rheumatology Group. He now runs the Rheumatology/Respiratory MDT at Pembury Hospital and the Rheumatology Biologics MDT.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr Batley leads one of the region’s largest rheumatology research units at Maidstone Hospital. He is Principal Investigator for multiple national and international trials focusing on new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome. His research has contributed to the understanding of comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis, particularly through early involvement in the ERAS and ERAN studies.