A pulmonary rehabilitation maintenance pilot programme is breathing new life into health services in Rotherham, helping local patients with chronic lung disease to take control of their condition.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a specialist programme of exercise and education to support people diagnosed with a chronic lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis and interstitial disease.
The pulmonary rehabilitation maintenance pilot programme is designed for patients who have already completed an initial pulmonary rehab course and who are looking to maintain their levels of activity and sustain the positive changes they have made to their health, with guidance from trained instructors.
Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer at NHS South Yorkshire and local GP said: “Pulmonary rehabilitation can help improve lung function and reduce symptoms like coughing and breathlessness. It also teaches patients with lung disease how to exercise safely and at the right level for their circumstances.”
"Evidence shows that accessing pulmonary rehabilitation improves people’s ability to walk further and helps them feel less tired and breathless when carrying out day-to-day activities. 90 per cent of patients who complete a pulmonary rehabilitation programme have higher activity and exercise levels, and report an improved quality of life.”
“Pulmonary rehabilitation has also been shown to support better self-management and reduce flare-ups, which in turn can reduce the need for emergency hospital admissions and primary care appointments.”
The pulmonary rehabilitation maintenance pilot launched in January this year from Maltby Leisure Centre in Rotherham, in partnership with Breathing Space and Places for People.