Regional NHS pulmonary rehabilitation video campaign launched

A video campaign to promote the health and lifestyle benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for those with long-term lung conditions has been launched across the north east of England.

'Changing Lives - Breathing Better' was created by the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), one of 15 networks set up by the Department of Health to spread innovative healthcare practices across the NHS.

AHSN NENC collaborated on the campaign with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) and the Newcastle Healthy Lungs Programme in response to a recent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) audit.

This reported that 90% of people who attend pulmonary rehabilitation find it easier to walk around afterwards, with almost three-quarters seeing a general improvement in their respiratory health. Furthermore, 63% of attendees found their improvement exceeded their expectations on joining the programme.

Dr Seamus O'Neil, chief executive of the AHSN NENC, said: “The rate of referral to pulmonary rehabilitation is poor and GPs and clinicians working in primary care play a pivotal role in the referral of patients into the service.

“By working closely with the BLF we've been able to develop a series of videos that primary care professionals can access to raise awareness and encourage the uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation across the North East and North Cumbria.”

The 'Changing Lives - Breathing Better' video and accompanying patient case studies will be circulated to almost 2,200 healthcare professionals in the region as an aid in communicating the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation to patients.

It features patients who have taken part in local programmes relating how the exercise and education classes have not only helped them to breathe and function at a noticeably improved level, but broadened their understanding of the condition.