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What is Outpatient Respiratory Physiotherapy?
This is a service where you can see a Physiotherapist who specialises in lung conditions. They are part of the Adult Integrated Respiratory Service (AIR).
Appointments are in a chest clinic environment and you may see the Physiotherapist for a one off appointment or for a course of treatment if necessary.
Why have I been referred?
Your GP or Respiratory Consultant will have referred you due to your lungs / breathing; they feel that Respiratory Physiotherapy may benefit your health and wellbeing.
What does the Respiratory Physiotherapy service offer?
The aim of 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 the one you need to contact initially if you are unwell. The out of hours options are Walk In Centres; dialling NHS 111 for advice; or dialling 999 / attending A and E if you are very unwell.
How does the service work?
Initially you will be referred by your GP or Consultant. The AIR service then receives the referral and the Respiratory Physiotherapy team will contact you to arrange a day and time that is convenient for you to attend an appointment. There may be a short wait for an appointment
What to expect from the first appointment?
What to expect from the first appointment Your appointment will take place at a date and time agreeable to you and in a healthcare setting, where one of the Respiratory Physiotherapists will see you.
At the first appointment, the Physiotherapist will ask some questions to get a good idea of how you are, what symptoms you may be experiencing and what you are hoping to achieve by attending the appointment(s). 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. The first appointment will be 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 pattern 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 Physiotherapists 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/025
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.