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Pulmonary Rehabilitation

 

This guideline applies to adults aged 18 years and over.

 

Introduction

The Community Respiratory Service is a multi-disciplinary team providing services, which includes pulmonary rehabilitation, for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.


Pulmonary rehabilitation combines personalised exercise plans with education and advice for those patients who experience difficulties breathing during movement or daily activities.


Please see link for further information

 

Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation:

  • Improved Breathing
     
  • Enhanced Exercise Capacity
     
  • Reduced Symptoms
     
  • Fewer Hospitalisations
     
  • Better Quality of Life
     
  • Social Support

 

What happens in a pulmonary rehabilitation course?

  • Six week course. Includes one in-person group session per week
     
  • Each session lasts two hours. One hour dedicated to exercise, the other to advice, education and discussion
     
  • Home exercise programme
     
  • Access to MyCOPD app

 

Inclusion Criteria

  • Confirmed diagnosis of a respiratory condition
     
  • MRC score between 2 and 5 (inclusive)
     
  • Motivated to complete the whole programme
     
  • Current medical management optimised, including inhaled therapies
     
  • If on long term oxygen therapy then ambulatory oxygen should be prescribed

 

Exclusion Criteria

  • Unstable coronary or cerebral ischemia or inability to independently manage changes in symptoms / disease status
     
  • Unstable diabetic control or inability to independently manage changes in symptoms/ disease status
     
  • Within 10 days of starting treatment for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
     
  • Within 6 weeks of acute myocardial damage e.g. raised troponin or NSTEMI
     
  • Unstable medical conditions: e.g. decompensated heart failure, recent aortic dissection, uncontrolled and malignant hypertension, active gastrointestinal bleeding or severe anaemia
     
  • Medical falls or frequent mechanical falls
     
  • Significant active exacerbation/ infection or in early recovery phase (1 month) 
     
  • Moderate cognitive deficit (unless adequately supported by a carer)
     
  • The inability to exercise due significant musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disorders 


 

How do I make a referral to this service?

We do not accept self-referrals for this programme.

Please send a referral letter and profile to:

cft.pulmonaryrehabreferrals@nhs.net


There is a referral form available should you wish to use it. This can be requested via the email above.

Our programmes are available at various times from Monday to Friday, across multiple locations throughout Cornwall (Crackington Haven, Launceston, Saltash, Dobwalls, Lanhydrock, Summercourt, Threemilestone, Mabe, Charlestown, Trewoon, Helston, Camborne and Penzance).

We utilise a single point of access referral process, and our PR referral coordinator will reach out to discuss the most suitable venue for each patient.

 

Supporting Information

Patients

 

Page Review Information

Review Date:           12 August 2025

Next Review Date:   12 August 2027

Speciality Lead:        Dr Kate Northridge

Contributor:              Rachel Williams, Consultant Respiratory Practitioner, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust