A coupling (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has first component (21) with a short sleeve (23) at its patient end that it fitted on the patient end of the machine end coupling (17) on the tube so that the machine end of the coupling extends within a part-spherical formation (24) at the opposite end of the first component. The coupling (2) includes a second component (22) with a male tapered fitting (27) at its machine end and a part-spherical formation (28) at its patient end that is a close sliding fit inside the part-spherical formation (24) on the first component (21).
