Our integrated respiratory team is a specialist service of respiratory nurses, physiotherapists and physiotherapy technicians providing outstanding respiratory support for patients with asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, home oxygen and long Covid.
The respiratory team provides services across North-East Hampshire, Farnham, and Surrey Heath which can be delivered in the community, secondary care, outpatient, or domiciliary care settings depending on the service user’s needs.
Our staff are highly motivated, receptive to change and dedicated to providing patients high standard of care. The team prides itself on how caring, courteous, and knowledgeable its staff are; each staff member strives to achieve the Frimley Health Trust values and core behaviours. As a specialist team we work autonomously, and our clinical decision making is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation.
The team is part of the Frimley Health Integrated Care board (ICB) which also works throughout East Berkshire. Therefore the team works closely with Frimley Park Hospital, Wexham park Hospital and the Adult Integrated Respiratory (AIR) team (the specialist respiratory service who provide support to patients living in East Berkshire).
FHFT Integrated Respiratory Teams mission statement:
We aim to provide assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of respiratory care and rehabilitation needs for service users living with chronic respiratory conditions. Thus, supporting patients and their families/carers to develop self-care strategies that will empower them to remain independent and self-manage their condition.
See below for the services that the FHFT Integrated respiratory team provide:
Pulmonary rehabilitation
- The service has been one of the first 8 services in the country accredited by PRSAS
- Individualised exercise programs for those living with chronic lung conditions
- Education of chronic lung conditions and how to self-manage your disease
- Classes are currently held at Farnham Memorial Hall, Places Leisure Centre (Camberley), Aldershot Garrison Church Crookham Community Hub, Mayfeild Community Centre (Farnborough).
- See our pulmonary rehabilitation page for more details.
Admission avoidance (AA) and supported discharge (SD) Virtual ward (VW)
- Aimed for patients suffering with exacerbations of COPD, ILD or Bronchiectasis
- For AAVW each patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment with the intention to treat acute episodes and avoid hospital admission.
- Patients admitted to hospital but discharged home within 72hrs have ongoing support within the community setting under the SDVW with an aim to prevent readmission.
- Complex patients can be discussed with our respiratory consultant or registrar
- Follow link for full information on our respiratory virtual ward
Admission avoidance and supported discharge
- exacerbation management post step down from the virtual ward and for those patients who were admitted to hospital for more than 72hrs
- disease monitoring for admission/readmission prevention
Respiratory physiotherapy
- airway clearance advice
- assessment and treatment of breathing pattern disorders
Oxygen assessment
- assessment and review of those who require oxygen in the community setting
Respiratory disease management
- holistic respiratory assessment, medication management and creation of self management plans
- Inhaler guidance and support
- symptom management and end of life support in conjunction with the palliative care team
Breathlessness management
- anxiety related breathlessness management
- energy conservations advice
Teaching and specialist respiratory support for community practitioners