Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an exercise and education programme designed for people with lung disease who experience symptoms of breathlessness. Pulmonary Rehabilitation focuses on tailored physical exercise and information that helps people to better understand and manage their condition/s and symptoms, including feeling short of breath. NHS England » Pulmonary rehabilitation
If you need to contact the team you can:
Telephone: 01752 434342
Office hours: 9 am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Answer phone available 24/7
Or email: [email protected]
Who?
People with chronic lung conditions who have shortness of breath affecting their daily life.
You can be newly diagnosed, or someone who feels they have deteriorated, or someone with lots of questions about your lung condition that you have not been able to find answers for.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept patients with a singular diagnosis of Asthma.
The course is run by Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapists, Respiratory Nurses, and Respiratory Clinical Support Workers.
When?
You will attend on Mondays and Thursdays for six consecutive weeks. You will also attend a pre course assessment and a post course discharge assessment.
Mondays 60 minutes of exercise
Thursdays 60 minutes of exercise and 45 mins of Education
Pre-Course assessment 30 minutes
Discharge assessment 30minutes
Where?
Face to face Group sessions at:
Elm Community Centre, Leypark Drive, Leypark Walk, Estover, Plymouth, PL6 8UE
How can I join the course?
Any healthcare professional can refer you, e.g. GP, Practice Nurse, Physiotherapist. Some pharmacies are also able to refer.
What should I expect?
Following referral you will be sent a letter, you will need to respond to this letter to ‘opt in’.
You will then be telephoned by a Respiratory Nurse, who will ask you some questions about your condition, any other medical issues you may have and how your condition is affecting your everyday life. Also if you are wishing to take part in the Face to Face classes or the virtual classes. This telephone appointment may take approx. 30 minutes
Following this telephone assessment a face to face assessment at The Elm Centre will be arranged. At this appointment we will take some basic observations- heart rate, blood pressure etc and you will speak to a Physiotherapist. Following that you will take part in a walking test to assess your current level of ability. This appointment will take approximately 30 minutes.
You will then arrange a start date and attend 6 consecutive weeks of Exercise and Education sessions (Mondays and Thursdays)
Following completion you will have a discharge assessment, during which you will repeat your walking test and will discuss your ongoing plans for integrating regular exercise into your everyday life.
Why?
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a combination of exercise and education which is specifically tailored to each individual, which considers their current abilities, limitations and fears.
- Exercise to improve muscle strength and efficiency and to therefore reduce shortness of breath on exertion, to improve endurance which results in improved function.
- Education sessions on various topics to improve confidence in own ability to self-manage condition
- Proven benefits of reduction in symptoms and reduced incidences of exacerbation.
- Reduced hospital admissions, increased Quality of Life, increased functional ability.
People who attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation report increased activity levels, can walk further, have increased confidence, improved quality of life, are more independent and less short of breath.
The aim of Pulmonary Rehabilitation is to give you the confidence to exercise regularly and support you to make a lifestyle change.
Myth busting
You do not require any specialist clothing or equipment- flat shoes and loose comfortable clothing.
Smoking is not a barrier to acceptance or benefit achieved by attending the course.
People who require oxygen are able to attend.
People who walk with walking aids are able to attend.