NHS Lanarkshire’s pulmonary rehabilitation service is supporting Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week (20-26 June) to raise awareness of the services available to those suffering from respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) is the best treatment for COPD, after stopping smoking. The aim of pulmonary rehab is to improve fitness, both in strength and cardiovascular. Education is an important factor in pulmonary rehab and topics such as inhalers, breathing control and chest clearance, exercise, healthy eating and medication are often discussed.
Each patient requiring pulmonary rehab undergoes an individual assessment prior to starting the class and everyone receives an individual exercise programme suited to their abilities. Those on oxygen can attend where a seated exercise programme can also be completed. The group offers support to each other which can help with mental wellbeing. Classes are held in the John Wright Sports Centre, East Kilbride; Fairhill leisure centre Hamilton; Wishaw sports centre, Airdrie leisure centre and the Time Capsule, Coatbridge. To access the group, patients will require a referral from a health care professional.
Patients interested in attending a class must have a respiratory diagnosis, be symptomatically breathless, motivated, with no unstable angina and be able to work in a group.
One patient who has benefited from pulmonary rehab said: “Since beginning pulmonary rehab I can see a way forward.”
Jennifer McDonald, pulmonary rehab physiotherapist, University Hospital Hairmyres, said: “Everyone with COPD should try pulmonary rehab as it can really make a difference to their quality of life.”
Referrals should be submitted via a referral form and sent to the relevant pulmonary rehab department at each acute hospital site.
For further information, please contact Jennifer McDonald on 07795013945 or email Jennifer.McDonald@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Picture: Jennifer McDonald, pulmonary rehab physiotherapist
