University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Teams are now delivering breathlessness rehabilitation from the NCSEM-EM.
Breathlessness is one of the most common reasons for people seeking A&E care, and the number of such attendances is increasing steadily year on year. Rehabilitation can help such patients reduce the symptom burden and secure a better quality of life, reducing the need for subsequent expensive healthcare input.
Patients utilise exercise and education in a multidisciplinary environment, encouraging self management, symptom control, behaviour change, exercise, and long term management. Acknowledging that these disease processes often co-exist and streamlining the services for patients is important for individuals with long term conditions such as heart failure or chronic respiratory disease.
The programme has benefits to both patients and staff and has received positive feedback,with patients reporting they have more strength, feel more confident in helping themselves and are making progress towards their fitness goals.
The team hopes to expand this service to other important long term diseases over time.