Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Virtual Ward (VW) Supported Discharge
The VW Supported Discharge Service facilitates safe, early discharge for patients admitted for less than 72h with an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) or Bronchiectasis. Management of your condition at home is provided by experienced specially trained healthcare professionals. The Service will also provide expert patient education that is aimed at improving self-management, reducing future flare ups of your condition and preventing hospital admissions.
The Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT) Respiratory team will aim to assess you before you are discharged from hospital, however, depending on capacity this may not always happen. Once you are discharged from hospital under our care you will receive contact/visits from a Respiratory Integrated Team South (RITS) member as needed.
Visits will usually be made between 9am – 5pm. Please note we are unable to book appointment times as our workload is unpredictable.
A follow up telephone call, home visit or clinic appointment will be scheduled after your initial visit as appropriate.
Virtual Ward Admission Avoidance
The VW Admission Avoidance (AA) Service provides support and advice to patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD, ILD or Bronchiectasis requiring a step up in treatment due to deteriorating symptoms. Where appropriate we aim to prevent admission to hospital through management of your care at home by experienced specially trained healthcare professionals. Your initial referral will need to be from your GP or other healthcare professional, and you must have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, ILD or Bronchiectasis.
Please see below for our contact details. We will speak to you via the telephone and where a visit is deemed appropriate, this will be organised, or we will advise you on the best course of action.
Home Oxygen Service - Assessment and Review (HOS-AR)
The Home Oxygen Service provides continuing assessment, review, education, and advice for those with home oxygen including long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), ambulatory oxygen therapy (AOT), palliative oxygen therapy (POT) and short-burst oxygen therapy (SBOT). We aim to ensure oxygen is prescribed within current guidelines and after a risk assessment has been undertaken. The service is delivered by experienced and specifically trained health care professionals. Please be aware that this service is not provided to patients that smoke (including electronic cigarettes) and to be eligible for an assessment, you have to be free of smoking for more than six weeks with evidence that you are continuing to engage with smoking cessation services.
Respiratory Disease Management
The respiratory disease management service provides assessment and reviews for patients with uncontrolled, complex symptoms who experience multiple exacerbations of their COPD, ILD, Bronchiectasis and Asthma.
These patients are usually seen in our nurse- led clinics, except for housebound patients who can be seen at home.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a course for patients with a confirmed lung condition to help improve their exercise tolerance, strength and breathlessness. The program runs twice a week for 6 weeks and includes a mixture of exercise and education. The overall goal is to help patients to manage their lung condition with increased confidence.
We provide Pulmonary Rehabilitation at various venues across North East Hampshire, Farnham and Surrey Heath. The programme is run by Respiratory Physiotherapists and Technicians, plus other members of the health care profession.
As mentioned, you must have a diagnosed respiratory condition, and meet specific criteria to attend a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Please discuss with the team if you would like to attend.
Respiratory Physiotherapy
The respiratory physiotherapy service provides assessment and reviews for patients with COPD, ILD, Bronchiectasis and Asthma who require support with chest clearance. This is usually a clinic appointment initially, and then followed up with a phone call or further clinics.
The respiratory physiotherapists also provide a service for patients with unexplained breathlessness, who require support with breathing retraining and breathlessness management.
Home visits
Please ensure your service team can work safely in your home and all pets are kept under control, to enable us to carry out your treatment in a safe environment.
We request that patients and other occupants do not smoke whilst we are visiting
Medications and Prescriptions
The team do not carry medical supplies. We are happy to assist with arranging an urgent prescription where required, but do not offer a prescription ordering or collection service. Therefore, it is essential you arrange collection of prescriptions and supplies via your GP Surgery and your Pharmacy
Sharing of Information
Information within your records may be used and shared with other relevant agencies involved in your care. If you do not wish your records to be used in this way, please tell your Service team.
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/045
Approval date:
26 August 2025
Review date:
1 August 2027
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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.