Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise and education program for people with chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Information:

We are proud to be Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Accredited Scheme (RSAS) accredited.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise and education programme, for patients with a chronic respiratory disease. It is suitable for patients with a variety of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. It will not heal your lungs but it will help you to be able to do more, such as walking and daily tasks.

The Pulmonary rehabilitation is made up of a multidisciplinary team, including physios, nurses, occupational therapists, exercise physiologist and technical instructors.

Pulmonary rehabilitation will help to:

  • Improve your levels of confidence and quality of life.
  • Reduce your levels of breathlessness.
  • Help you to improve your general health and level of fitness.
  • Improve your ability to carry out the daily activities that are important to you.
  • Help you understand about your respiratory disease.
  • Help you to control the symptoms of your condition.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and COVID Programme

If you would like to join our pulmonary or breathlessness programme, your GP, Consultant or any health care professional will have to refer you. A referral form is available for them to download from this website. If you are a COVID patient, your GP will need to refer you through the long COVID clinic.

If you are suitable for a rehabilitation programme you will be given the choice of attending face to face classes or doing the programme at home. Classes for pulmonary or breathlessness rehabilitation are held at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester General Hospital or NCSEM Loughborough University, or a local leisure centre.

If you are unable to get here for your in person appointment any other way, it may be possible to arrange hospital transport. The booking telephone number will be on your appointment letter; please note there are restrictions as to who is eligible to use this service.

The programme sessions are held at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester General Hospital, Loughborough University and other local leisure centres.

Information for patients

Your first appointment for Pulmonary Rehabilitation will initially be done on the phone and last up to one hour. We will then invite you to attend a face-to-face appointment to do some walking tests. If you are attending an initial appointment for COVID Rehabilitation, it will be face to face and last up to two hours. Please wear comfy clothing and footwear to face-to-face appointments.

One of the team will tell you about the Pulmonary or Covid Rehabilitation Programme, depending on which one you have been referred for, and what it involves.

Please bring your medication, or prescription form, and details of any other clinic appointments that you may have.

Please follow the instruction on your appointment letter for the exact location of your first visit.

  • Glenfield Hospital – Please report to the Main reception. The receptionist will contact a member of the team to let us know you are here.
  • Leicester General Hospital – Please report to the Physiotherapy Department (signposted as Rehabilitation Department).
  • NCSEM at Loughborough University – Please report to main reception and the receptionist will let us know you are here.

If you do not wish to attend or cannot make your appointment, please call the department as soon as possible. This will enable us to use the slot for another patient and re-arrange your appointment if necessary.

  • Leicester General Hospital – 0116 258 4072
  • Glenfield Hospital and NCSEM at Loughborough University – 0116 258 3181