What Is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a specialist exercise and education programme for people living with long-term lung conditions that cause breathlessness.

The programme is designed to help you manage your symptoms, improve your fitness and confidence, and make everyday activities easier.

Your age or the severity of your lung condition should not stop you from taking part. Pulmonary rehabilitation is tailored to your individual abilities, allowing you to exercise safely at a level that’s right for you.

Research has shown that pulmonary rehabilitation can improve quality of life, increase exercise capacity and help reduce the impact of breathlessness on daily life.

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How Can Pulmonary Rehabilitation Help?

Pulmonary rehabilitation aims to help you:

• Manage breathlessness more effectively
• Improve your fitness and stamina
• Increase confidence with everyday activities
• Improve your overall wellbeing
• Reduce feelings of anxiety and low mood
• Improve your quality of life

Many people find everyday tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, shopping and getting dressed become easier after completing the programme.

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What Does the Programme Involve?

Pulmonary rehabilitation combines three key elements to help you manage your lung condition.

Exercise

You’ll take part in supervised exercises designed to strengthen your muscles, improve fitness and increase your ability to carry out everyday activities safely.

Exercises are adapted to your individual ability and are supervised by experienced healthcare professionals.

Education

Educational sessions provide practical advice about living with a lung condition, including:

• Understanding your condition
• Managing breathlessness
• Staying active safely
• Healthy lifestyle advice
• Managing flare-ups
• Getting the most from your treatment

Support

Pulmonary rehabilitation also gives you the opportunity to meet others living with similar conditions.

Many people find sharing experiences and receiving support from both healthcare professionals and other participants helps build confidence throughout the programme.

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What to Expect

Before starting the programme, you’ll be invited to an Opt-in Session.

This group session explains:

• What pulmonary rehabilitation involves
• What happens during the programme
• The benefits of taking part
• Whether the programme is right for you

If you choose to continue, you’ll attend an individual assessment before beginning your rehabilitation programme.

Throughout the course, your progress will be monitored and the exercises adjusted to suit your needs.

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Who Can Be Referred?

Any healthcare professional can refer you for pulmonary rehabilitation if they feel you would benefit.

The Community Respiratory Specialist Team provides pulmonary rehabilitation across:

• Bristol
• North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire

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Programme Locations

Sirona Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme

Our pulmonary rehabilitation programme runs from community locations across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

• Six-week programme
• Two sessions each week
• Each session lasts approximately two hours

LEEP (Lung Exercise and Education Programme)

LEEP is delivered at Cossham Hospital.

• Six-week programme
• Monday and Friday afternoons
• Two-hour sessions

Following your referral, you’ll be offered the programme that best suits your needs and location.

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Further Information

If you’d like to know more about pulmonary rehabilitation or have questions about your referral, please contact the Community Respiratory Specialist Team.

Telephone: 0300 124 5909

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm