The pulmonary rehabilitation programmes consist of tailored exercise for each individual, along with a comprehensive educational programme. The focus is on improving physical fitness, exercise tolerance, breathlessness management, quality of life and mood state.
The patient has an initial assessment by the team’s specialist clinicians and, if deemed suitable, participates in a group exercise and education class. Each class is two hours long; patients attend two sessions a week for six weeks, followed by a final assessment.
At any stage of the service, patients can be signposted, where necessary, to other healthcare providers, to support their attendance on the programme, and to improve their ongoing management.
Referrals are accepted from:
Referral forms are accepted via the operations centre LHNT.LCHSreferrals@nhs.net.
Waiting times for the rehabilitation classes vary depending upon location, but patients can attend whichever venue they choose.
Post pulmonary rehabilitation support groups have been set up in Lincolnshire to support ongoing exercise and social interaction; current venues are Louth, Skegness and Mablethorpe.
These are in addition to the Breathe Easy Support groups in Lincoln, Gainsborough, and Grantham.