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Patients lead the way to better health
Every week, people living with lung conditions come together for a patient-led initiative to maintain their fitness and support each other to improve their physical and mental health.
All have a long-term respiratory illness, and have been referred to the community pulmonary rehabilitation service, provided by the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. The team of specialist physiotherapists and instructors supports them through an initial six-week exercise and education programme that aims to help them better understand and manage their conditions.
The courses bring such benefits that some patients involved want to carry on. So community physiotherapist Becky Chapman co-ordinates and delivers a follow-on group once a week in Bury St Edmunds, in her own time, motivated by the courage and determination of her patients, many of whom have life-limiting illnesses.
“The initial exercise courses bring together groups of up to 16 people with varying lung conditions which can vary from those with mild lung symptoms to those with severe lung issues needing oxygen” explained Becky.
“As well as the exercise and advice, they gain valuable peer support and stimulation,” she said. “We assess them at the start and end of the course, and it almost always shows their fitness and general ability to manage their lung condition has improved.”
Becky emphasised that simply getting out of their home into an environment where they can share something with other people does help the patients feel more “normal”. Each follow-on group meets in Bury St Edmunds once a week on a Thursday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, only breaking for two weeks in the summer and two weeks at Christmas. Members of the group were unanimous in their praise for the initiative and for Becky, whom they described as “inspiring”.
Brian, who is 75 and was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 16 years ago, followed the initial programme at the West Suffolk Hospital and has been attending the community classes for more than a year. He said Becky is “a wonder”. “I go every week and have only missed one,” he said. “It helps me to keep active at home, and talking to people here makes you realise you are not the only one with the condition.”
Sue, who suffers from asthma, COPD, emphysema and is at risk of frequent chest infections, finds the classes very beneficial. “I care for my husband, so I have to keep myself healthy,” said Sue. “This is a lovely bunch of people and Becky is fantastic – we have support and it’s a chance to socialise.”
John is one of two people in the weekly group who suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a severe condition where the lungs become scarred, for reasons that are unclear. For John, who has been attending for 18 months, the exercise helps him to stay fitter. “The people are so nice, I can’t say enough about it. The classes help to keep my spirits up and give me such massive pleasure.”
Becky has been a physiotherapist specialising in chest conditions for 22 years. “People with respiratory conditions often feel isolated, depressed and can experience extreme anxiety,” she said. “Even if they are not up to exercising, they can come along for a coffee and chat with people who know what they are going through. They look after each other.”
Becky Chapman, physiotherapist at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, offers patients therapy as part of the community pulmonary rehabilitation service.
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