The Respiratory Physiotherapy Service reviews patients that are admitted into the hospital with a respiratory condition, where physiotherapy might be beneficial. This might be patients who have conditions such as COPD, asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis.
The Team visits patients in multiple ward environments including A&E, the acute medical unit, medical and surgical wards and will provide input from admission through to discharge, with links to community services for onward referral.
Physiotherapy aims to help patients through sputum clearance, respiratory support from oxygen and non-invasive devices, maintenance of lung volume and maintenance or restoration of function.
The Team works closely with the other members of the Multidisciplinary Team to provide holistic assessment and treatment.
Respiratory physiotherapy also covers patients post-surgery to provide self-management techniques and ensure early mobilisation to minimise secondary complications. Patients that are admitted onto Critical Care have a daily review from physiotherapy to ensure that they receive interventions to optimise breathing especially if a patient is on a ventilator and to provide all rehabilitation needs in the recovery phase.
The Respiratory Physiotherapy Service is a 24 hour service with a response time of 45 minutes for those patients that require emergency or urgent physiotherapy intervention.
The Team
The team consists of nine physiotherapists and two physiotherapy assistants.
Referrals
Patients are referred by ward staff or are identified by the Team for support.