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HCT pulmonary rehab work collectively to improve the quality of life for people with breathing difficulties.
The service offers face-to-face pulmonary rehabilitation classes held in leisure centres across East and North Hertfordshire, as well as a clinic-based respiratory physiotherapy service.
The service is also able to offer online pulmonary rehab which runs for six weeks and includes a programme of exercise and education to help you cope more effectively with your lung condition.
Pulmonary rehabilitation team
The pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) service is run by a team of specialists which includes but is not limited to:- Physiotherapists
- Pulmonary rehabilitation practitioners
- Assistant pulmonary rehabilitation practitioners
- Occupational therapists
The service is run for people who are having difficulty managing symptoms associated with a diagnosed breathing problem.
Diagnoses such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, lung fibrosis and dysfunctional breathing are commonly seen.
Problems such as cough, shortness of breath and repeated chest infections can be managed with a combination of education and exercise.
Face to face pulmonary rehabilitation is delivered in a group setting, twice weekly for six weeks.
Patients who need respiratory physiotherapy are seen on an individual basis.
Pulmonary Rehab Service Leaflet
To find out more about face to face pulmonary rehabilitation, watch a video by the service which explains what's involved, who it benefits and the results it aims to produce.
Pulmonary rehab week
A series of short information videos for patients.
- Contact the service
- How the service is provided
- Who is eligible for the service
- What will happen at your appointment
- Useful information
- Making a referral
- Patient experience
Contact the service
For appointments and cancellations please call 0300 123 7571.
Office number: 01462 478783
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How the service is provided
Pulmonary rehabilitation:
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is delivered in a group setting, twice weekly over a six-week period.
PR includes a programme of exercise and education to help you cope more effectively with your lung condition. It is individually tailored to your abilities, and you can choose which venue you would like to attend.
The service is also able to offer an online self-management programme using a combination of telephone and video support for those who are not able to attend a face-to-face group.
In certain situations, the service will offer a home visit to teach a patient a home exercise programme (inclusion and exclusion criteria apply).
Respiratory physiotherapy: is provided on an individual basis in a clinic setting. Home visits for respiratory physiotherapy are not provided by the service.
If a patient needs help at home with a respiratory condition, this can be provided by a physiotherapist working within the Integrated Community Team. Alternatively the patient can be seen at home by one of Integrated Community Respiratory Service (ICRS) respiratory specialist nurses.
Who is eligible for the service
- Anyone with a respiratory condition who needs education, self management and support beyond the remit of their GP practice
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Pulmonary rehabilitation is specifically aimed for patients who feel that their breathlessness is affecting their day-to-day activities and quality of life. Patients should be aged 18 or over with a confirmed respiratory diagnosis.
Respiratory physiotherapy is for patients who suffer with breathing problems due to COPD, bronchiectasis, asthma, cough or dysfunctional breathing who need an individualised form of treatment on a one-to-one basis (age 14 or over)
What will happen at your appointment
Most initial appointments are conducted over the phone. You can choose to have your initial appointment in person rather than over the phone.
After a full and thorough assessment and examination we will provide you with an individualised package of advice and treatment.
If you are attending for a pulmonary rehabilitation assessment, it is likely that you will be asked to carry out a simple walking test (not on a treadmill).
You will be asked to continue with your exercise programme at home as well as during the class.
Useful information
Publications
- Pulmonary Rehab advice booklet. (PDF) (Pulmonary rehab advice (Accessible format)
- Breathing problems advice (PDF) Breathing problems advice (Accessible format)
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Asthma UK
British Thoracic Society
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
www.csp.org.uk
Global Initiative for Asthma
www.ginasthma.org
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
www.goldcopd.org
Physiotherapy for Hyperventilation
Information for physiotherapists with special interest in Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome
Find out more about Follow-on activity options in your area Get Active – Activity Finder – Find activities in your local area. (sportinherts.org.uk)
Healthy Hubs
Making a referral
Referrals should be sent via email to hcnt.pulmonaryrehab@nhs.net or if referring from a GP practice, please use the electronic referral system (eRS). - search ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’.
Please use the referral form below along with any further additional medical information if required.
Postal address:
Nevells Road Health Centre
Nevells Road
Letchworth
SG6 4TS
Referral enquiries: 0300 123 7571
Clinical enquiries: 01462 478783
- Pulmonary Rehab Referral form
- Self Referral (PDF) Self Referral (Accessible version)
Patient experience
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
We would also love to hear about your experience on our service - please complete a survey by clicking here.
