Pulmonary rehabilitation

What we do

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a course of education and physical activity designed to help you learn more about your condition, improve your fitness and strength and make you feel less breathless.

We offer it to all patients with chronic (long-lasting) lung disease, generally those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma or bronchiectasis, although it is effective for most respiratory conditions.

Experienced healthcare workers, including qualified physiotherapists, tailor an exercise programme that is appropriate to your level of ability. For some patients this means gentle walking and some seated exercises; for others it is faster walking, step-ups and using an exercise bicycle. The exercises aim to improve your stamina and strength and help you manage your breathlessness.

By understanding your condition and knowing how to cope with it we help to put you back in control again. We make sure you know about your medications and what to do if you have an attack of breathlessness. We help you to feel confident to manage your symptoms and teach you to set realistic goals that will help you achieve the things you want to do.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is very effective with lots of research proving that it makes a real difference to patients’ lives. After rehabilitation most people:

• can walk further and faster
• feel less breathless during routine daily activities
• feel more positive and better in themselves
• sleep better and have more energy
• have fewer chest infections and admissions to hospital.
  

Our team is based at Dulwich Community Hospital but also delivers our Better Breathing for Life programme at the following sites:

• King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
• St Thomas’ Hospital
• Dulwich Leisure Centre
• China Walk Tenants’ Association, Lambeth Walk
• Recreation Centre, Brixton
  

You'll find directions to our main sites at Getting to King's.

In 2009, our community pulmonary rehabilitation service received an award from Improving and Integrating Respiratory Services in the NHS (IMPRESS), a joint initiative between the British Thoracic Society and the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) UK, for its integrated approach to care.

Location

Block D, First floor, Dulwich Hospital, East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8PT

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 6039

Patient Information Leaflets

Conditions we treat

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education for patients with chronic respiratory impairment that is individually tailored to the patient’s ability.

It leads to large and meaningful improvements in breathlessness. Patients generally report that they can walk further, feel fitter and are better able to cope with their condition. There is a large body of research showing that rehabilitation is effective and that it reduces the frequency of infections and hospital admissions.

It is suitable for patients with a variety of respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis.

What is required before referring a patient

Please provide copy of latest spirometry test results or FEV1/VC% and FEV1 % predicted, MRC breathlessness score, patient’s height and weight. See referral form for full details.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

Please complete and send the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Referral Form or an appropriate GP letter to:

Email kch-tr.pulmonaryrehab1@nhs.net

Fax 020 3299 6094

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team,
Dulwich Community Hospital,
East Dulwich Grove,
London SE22 8PT

Emergency Referrals

Emergency referrals can be made for COPD patients who attend ED or who are admitted for an exacerbation (flare-up) of the condition.

Other Queries

For other queries, contact Dr Rachel Garrod or Tony de Boeck:
Tel 020 3299 6039

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Referral Form

Key Clinical Staff