Respiratory – Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service

General introduction

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme for people with a long-term lung condition. It combines exercise and education to help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life.

The service supports people who experience breathlessness because of a lung condition, including:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• pulmonary fibrosis
• bronchiectasis
• people before or after lung surgery

After we receive your referral, a member of the team will contact you by phone. They will discuss your condition, any other health problems you may have, and whether the programme is suitable for you.

If appropriate, you will be invited to a face-to-face assessment.

During your assessment, we will look at:

• your mobility and balance
• how far you can walk
• your level of breathlessness
• how your lung condition affects your daily life

We will then agree a treatment plan with you. This may include exercise, physical activity advice and information to help you manage your condition.

After completing the programme, you will attend a discharge appointment to review your progress.

Pulmonary rehabilitation group sessions

Rehabilitation is usually provided in a group setting. If this is not suitable for you, other arrangements can be discussed.

The programme runs for 6 weeks. Sessions last around 90 minutes, and you may attend up to 2 sessions each week.