What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
When you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or a lung problem, you can find it difficult to move around or do your normal daily activities without getting breathless. Pulmonary Rehabilitation aims to help you cope with your breathlessness and to feel stronger and fitter at the same time. Breathlessness can be very frightening. This means that people with a lung problem often avoid situations where they might become breathless and so reduce the amount of activity they do. In the long run, though, this does not help you as you become unfit, tired and even more breathless.
Who do we work with?
We work with people who are 18 years and above and who are registered with a Bassetlaw GP.
Who is in the team?
The team consists of a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, COPD Matron, Rehabilitation Assistant.
What happens once you are referred?
We will contact you to let you know that we have received the referral. Following this we will arrange to visit you at home to provide you with information regarding the programme.
You will then be invited to attend an assessment with the Physiotherapist .The initial assessment includes:-
• Measuring how far you are able to walk.
• Questions about your chest / breathing problems.
• Completing questionnaires on how breathlessness is affecting you.
• Finding out what you hope to gain from the programme.
If suitable, you will be invited to attend the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group and given an individual exercise programme. The programme consists of two sessions a week for 6 weeks of approximately two hours each session. Educational/advice sessions are included as part of the programme and happen at the end of each session.
Topics covered include:-
• Introduction to breathing problems
• Inhalers and Medication
• Oxygen Therapy
• Breathing exercises
• Energy Conservation
• Chest clearance techniques
After completing the exercise programme people are invited back in 6 months time to undertake a booster course of exercise for 3 weeks.
How to access the Service
Please contact your health professional to discuss making a referral on your behalf. We accept referrals from GP’s, Practice Nurses, Community Matrons, Allied Health Professionals.
