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What is Domiciliary Physiotherapy?
This is a service where Respiratory Physiotherapist (and/or technicians) comes to see you at home as it may be difficult for you to attend an outpatient clinic or you may be unwell. The “Physios” are part of a wider Adult Intergrated Respiratory Service (AIR) and may attend as a single visit or they may feel you would benefit from a course of treatment.
Why have I been referred?
Your GP, Respiratory Consultant or Specialist Nurse has referred you due to your chronic lung disease. They feel that Respiratory Physiotherapy may benefit your health and wellbeing.
What does the Respiratory Physiotherapy service offer?
The aim of the Respiratory Physiotherapy is to help improve symptoms related to your lung condition. These symptoms may include breathlessness, mucus production, cough, limited exercise capacity, frequent chest infections and sometimes anxiety.
What is Respiratory Physiotherapy unable to offer?
Although the Respiratory Physiotherapy team will work closely with your GP or Consultant, your doctor is still responsible for your medical treatment and they are who you need to contact initially if you are unwell. The out of hours options are Walk-In-Centre; dialling NHS 111 for advice; or dialling 999/ attending A&E if you are very unwell.
How does the service work?
Initially, you will be referred by your GP, Consultant or Specialist nurse. The AIR service then receives the referral and the Respiratory Physiotherapy team will contact you to arrange an agreeable date and time to come and visit you at home.
What to expect from the first appointment
Initially a Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapist will come and see you at home. They may be accompanied by a colleague. This could be another Physiotherapist or a Physiotherapy Assistant.
At the first visit, the Physiotherapist will ask some questions to get a good idea of how you are and what symptoms you may be experiencing. This assessment may also involve filling in a questionnaire, a physical examination (e.g., listening to your breathing with a stethoscope) and getting you doing a bit of walking. They will be with you no longer than 1 hour.
After the assessment the Physiotherapist will discuss with you the outcome and what they (and you) feel may be of use to you. It is completely up to you if you want to participate in treatment but Respiratory Physiotherapy can be extremely helpful.
What kind of treatment may be offered?
• Advice and assistance for chest clearance (mucus clearance)
• Exercise advice
• Breathlessness management
• Cough management techniques
• Breathing retraining
• Links to other Respiratory Services, e.g., Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Self-management strategies to enhance lung-health related quality of life.
How long may treatment last?
Treatment will last as long as you and the Respiratory Physiotherapy Team feel it is required. If you are discharged after treatment you may be able to contact the Physios and self-refer back into the service if you feel the service may be of benefit to you in the future.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Respiratory medicine service.
About this information
Service:
Respiratory medicine
Reference:
W/024
Approval date:
10 April 2026
Review date:
1 April 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.