Pulmonary Rehab (community)

Active Programmes

Manor Clinic

18 Ridgeway Road

Sheffield

S12 2S

0114 3078260

Sth.pulmonaryrehab@nhs.net

• Reduces sensation of breathlessness
• Increases muscle strength and fitness
• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Increases confidence in managing your lung condition
• Promotes relaxation and energy conservation

Here is a video of patients explaining the benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. It also shows some examples of the exercises The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation

• Improve your muscle strength so you can use the oxygen you breathe more efficiently and become less breathless
• Help you cope better with feeling out of breath
• Improve your fitness so you feel more confident to do everyday tasks
• Improve your mental wellbeing
• Help you feel less tired
• Reduce your risk of being admitted to hospital with a chest infection or flare-up
• Help you understand and manage your condition better.

• You will get most benefit from doing a group pulmonary rehabilitation programme, where you can be supervised, monitored and progressed by our specialist staff. You may also find some benefit by being with other people with similar lung conditions who may experiences similar symptom and challenges. We can offer alternative options to groups if you are unable to engage with this. This can be discussed at your initial assessment.
• All patients will be expected to attend a walking test at a clinic before and after the programme if possible.
• The Group programme runs over 6 consecutive weeks from multiple community venues. You will attend 2 sessions per week lasting approximately 90 mins. The groups will be with other people with lung conditions, usually about 10-12 people. Each week, one of the sessions will include some education about managing your lung condition.

• You will be sent a letter confirming your referral and you will have to call us to tell us you want to go ahead.
• Our physios and nurses will then look at your medical records including your medication to make sure everything is ok before we invite you by letter for an initial assessment.
• Generally, the initial assessment will take place on the phone and we will ask you some simple questions about your lung condition and any other health condition you may have.
• We will then invite you to come in person to a local venue to undertake a walking test prior to starting the programme. This walking test will help us to prescribe an individual exercise programme for you. We will also ask you what you want to gain? achieve by doing the programme.
• If all goes well, we will give you a start date for the programme!
• As well as the 2 supervised sessions with the Pulmonary rehab team we ask you to do some walking training and some simple exercises at home. This is to help you get the most benefit from the programme (guidance will be provided).
• Following the six-week programme we invite you to repeat the walking test again and encourage you to maintain your levels of fitness. We will offer you a referral to a local leisure centre or alternative activity that suits you.
• At any time during the whole process, we may decide that pulmonary rehab may not be safe or appropriate for you and we may ask you to see your GP for some support we cannot provide. Please bear with us, as we only want the best for you.

When attending pulmonary rehabilitation please wear loose fitting clothing and sensible shoes – ideally trainers, no sandals or heels. Please bring the following:

• Reliever inhaler
• A drink i.e. water/squash
• Reading glasses/hearing aids if needed
• Oxygen therapy if prescribed
• GTN spray if prescribed
• Walking aid if required
• If diabetic please bring a snack

You will usually be referred by your GP or other healthcare professional. We also welcome self-referrals, please contact us via the details on this page. We will need to obtain your medical history before accepting you onto the programme.

“My experience was excellent with pulmonary rehab. Totally professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, encouraging, caring and engaged. I can’t praise them highly enough. Thanks especially to the team. They really helped me to come to terms with my health condition and to feel that it can be managed. Thank you all.”

“The staff were friendly & made it not as daunting as I thought it may be initially. All attendees were of different levels of fitness so there was no pressure to keep up with anyone. We all had our own personal goals, of which I achieved mine.”

“I was told about my condition which was good in the way I could understand and the way the team put me through a program pushed me to my limit now I can do the things at home, you need more people like them thank you”

How can exercise improve my breathlessness?

The fitter you are and the stronger your muscles are the less breathless you will be. Your confidence will improve as you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage your breathlessness better. This can help with your activities of daily living e.g. showering/stair climbing/housework

What to expect at assessment?

We aim to do an initial telephone call to discuss your medical history, symptoms, concerns and goals. You will then attend a face to face assessment in clinic which includes carrying out a simple walking test. If appropriate you will then be offered a start date on a programme.

How often do I need to attend?

All patients will be expected to attend for six consecutive weeks twice a week and also to attend an appointment before and after the programme at one of community venues for a walk test.

What can I expect from a session?

The education component covers a range of topics, including managing breathlessness, airway/chest clearance, the benefits of exercise and maintenance, recognising and managing flare ups (exacerbations), inhalers and other medication, mental wellbeing

The exercise component comprises exercises tailored to you. We understand that the idea of exercising if you are breathless may seem strange. It might even feel frightening, but evidence shows that undertaking pulmonary rehabilitation improves your ability to manage your lung condition and improve your quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation should help you feel stronger and fitter. As the programme goes on you should be able to start walking further and feel less breathless doing day-to-day activities.

How can I access the service? 

You will usually be referred by a healthcare professional, often your practice nurse at your General Practice. They will be able to tell you about how the programme works and how it will help you. We also welcome self-referrals, please contact us via the details on this page. We will need to obtain your medical history before accepting you on the programme.

What are your current waiting times? 

We aim to meet national waiting time targets although waiting times can vary. The current national waiting time target for stable patients is “referral to starting rehab” is 90 days (Royal College of Physicians). We often see patients well before this time. You can get a more accurate time by discussing with our admin team via phone or email.

What if I am too breathless to leave home? Do you offer home visits? 

You will get the most benefit from doing the programme in a group setting but if this is not possible we may be able to offer a home visit. You can talk about this with our Admin team or during the initial assessment.

Can I bring my relative/carer with me?

Yes, they can sit and wait for you whilst you exercise and can sit in on the education sessions.

Do you offer weekend appointments/sessions?

Unfortunately, not currently. Our working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:30, excluding bank holidays

Asthma + Lung UK: For any further information and support on your lung condition

NHS Stop Smoking Service - Yorkshire Smokefree: Yorkshire stop smoking NHS Stop Smoking Service

RightBreathe: Information about inhaled medication device and technique

What is Pulmonary Fibrosis | Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: Pulmonary Fibrosis support group

Referrals

• Referrals from GPs and other health professionals can be made via Single Point of Access or email
• The Pulmonary service also has a home rehab programme providing support for people who are recovering from an exacerbation in hospital – currently accepting referral from COPD specialist nurses only.
• Patients may also self-refer.

• We aim to meet national waiting time targets although waiting times can vary. The current national waiting time target for stable patients is “referral to starting rehab” is 90 days (Royal College of Physicians). We often see patients well before this time. You can get a more accurate time by discussing with our admin team via phone or email
• We don’t accept urgent referrals. Only patients coming out of hospital on the Early Supported Discharge pathway are seen quicker than normal and this is within 30 days of discharge.