• Chronic asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • COPD
  • Interstitial lung disease such as Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Community Respiratory Service is made up of Specialist Nurses, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistants and Assistant Practitioners and in some areas an Occupational Therapist.

If you’re referred to our service by your doctor, we’ll invite you for an assessment at one of our clinics or a home visit depending on your health. Patients can also self-refer if they have a diagnosed Lung condition.

You first appointment usually takes between 60 and 80 minutes. During your appointment we will:

  • Assess your breathing and clinical observations including oxygen levels on the move
  • Make sure you are on the correct inhalers and check your technique
  • Check other medication that may help your Symptoms
  • Check your suitability for our Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Better Breathing classes) or home programmes
  • Provide a deeper assessment than in the GP practice and help signpost in other areas such as Benefits or equipment to help with daily life

We can discuss treatment options and together you can decide on the best treatments for you. This may involves inviting you to join our Better Breathing classes.

If you’ve been referred to us after leaving hospital with a flare up of COPD. We will contact & likely visit you at home to complete the above assessment. Depending on how you’re getting on, we may ask one of our specialist physiotherapists or occupational therapists to visit you at home.

We do not hold a long term caseload of patients. Patients are seen optimised on treatments and are discharged. Patients are able to be referred back through their GP or direct if feel would benefit from review.

If you have a long term lung condition such as COPD, Asthma, Fibrosis or Bronchiectasis and you get breathless when doing everyday activities like walking and dressing, this programme has been designed for you. 

Taking place twice weekly over 7 weeks, the programme guides you through a series of tailored strength and endurance exercises that will help to improve your symptoms. For each exercise session (1 hour) you attend you will also have an educational talk (1 to 2 hours) on how to better manage your condition:

  • Breathlessness
  • Diet in Respiratory Disease
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Lung conditions
  • Clearing the Lungs
  • Going on holiday with a lung condition
  • Planning for the Future
  • Self-management
  • What to do next?
  • Medicines
  • Smoking
  • Going into Hospital
  • Exercise
  • Occupational therapy and managing energy levels
  • Talking therapies-Info &Advice for anxiety and low mood

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and talk to other people with the same or similar conditions.

If you’d like to know more, ask your GP or practice nurse if they think pulmonary rehabilitation would be suitable for you or take a look at our Facebook page North Cumbria Respiratory

Pulmonary Rehab classes are held in:

  • Harraby Community Centre, Carlisle
  • Evergreen Hall, Penrith
  • Wigton Hospital
  • Oval Centre, Workington
  • Copeland Pool, Whitehaven
  • Cumberland Infirmary in the Physiotherapy Department (Referrals can be passed over to the Carlisle Respiratory Physiotherapy team if you would like to complete in this location)

Carlisle and Eden

East Community Respiratory Team

01228 602036

Allerdale and Copeland

West Community Respiratory Team

01900 705041