Royal College of Physicians accreditation for Nottingham CityCare service supporting patients with chronic lung diseases
Nottingham CityCare, the biggest provider of NHS community health services in the city, is helping patients with chronic lung conditions to live better, more fulfilling lives and stay out of hospital, easing pressure on other parts of the health service as the busy winter period approaches.
Through rehabilitation and education, patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are being supported to manage their conditions in the community and in their homes.
Dedicated pulmonary rehabilitation classes run at five sites across the city help people who have been diagnosed with serious and limiting lung conditions to manage their conditions through exercise and learning.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team is part of CityCare’s Integrated Respiratory and Oxygen at Home Service (IROS) and has recently received accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) for its Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service.
Patients have said the team has made a “phenomenal difference” to their life and that they are “no longer frightened” about how their condition will progress.
Senior Physiotherapist Zoe Styles said: “We are extremely proud as a team to have achieved RCP accreditation. It shows that we are a high quality service focused on delivering safe and effective care.
“We support patients with education and exercises tailored to individual needs to help them achieve their goals; for example, daily activities such as walking further, managing their breathlessness, walking up and down stairs and carrying shopping.
“As well as improving quality of life, a big focus for pulmonary rehabilitation is preventing hospital admissions. Without these sessons patients are more likely to be readmitted to hospital.”
The RCP works with clinicians across the UK and worldwide to drive improvements in medical care. Accreditation demonstrates the CityCare IROS team is working to national quality standards for safety, patient experience and patient-centred care.
Specialist nurses, physiotherapists, community support teams and administrators work alongside other community services, social care and voluntary organisations, to care for patients with respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis.
They monitor and manage patients to prevent further respiratory deterioration and complications. They also provide education and support in the community, aiming to prevent admission to hospital and a reduction in the length of hospital.
The RCP assessment report says the team should be congratulated for their hard work to provide evidence and embed the standards into their service.
Congratulating the team, CityCare Director of Operations Helen Woodiwiss said: “I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to our patients. I know they worked so hard following an initial assessment, acting on a number of recommendations from the assessment team.
“Our patients and their families can now be assured they are receiving high-quality care based on their individual needs and that the team is always looking for ways to further improve the service they deliver.”
Citycare’s pulmonary rehabilitation sessions are held at Bulwell Riverside, St Ann’s Valley Centre, Clifton Cornerstone, The Vine community Centre and The Vale Community Centre, Wollaton.
Date published: 13 November 2024
CASE STUDIES
Terry Iles, from Beechdale, Nottingham
"I can do normal things again"
Retired after 24 years of military service followed by a career in electrical engineering.
Terry was diagnosed with COPD (chronic pulmonary obstructive disease) after being admitted to hospital with high levels of carbon dioxide in his bloodstream. Doctors told him he was lucky to be alive.
When he was discharged from hospital he was on oxygen 16 hours a day. Twelve months later he began attending Nottingham CityCare’s pulmonary rehabilitatoin classes.
“It has made a phenomenal difference,” says Terry.
“When I started the oxygen saturation level in my blood was down to 88%. By the time I had finished the first set of classes, it was up to 94%. It dropped slightly but thanks to further pulmonary rehabilitation sessions it is now back at 94% and remaining steady.
“I can do normal things again. I can walk reasonable distances, nothing too strenuous but I can get to the local shops.”
Sarah-Jayne Henry
"Rehabilitation has allowed me to be human again"
Former Ward Administrator at Queens Medical Centre.
Sarah was diagnosed with suspected COPD by a respiratory specialist after a GP referral for pneumonia. Sarah had suffered from annual chest infections, but the specialist wanted to perform a spirometry test. Within a year, the test confirmed COPD plus a number of other conditions including severe sleep apnea.
These conditions affected Sarah's ability to work and she eventually had to stop altogether. Then COVID came and, as Sarah was considered high-risk, she became housebound for two years. This had massive impacts for Sarah. Ordinarily a sociable and active person, she now found herself isolated and thinking that her conditions and situation were just the normal way of living.
However, a GP Nurse during a visit suggested to Sarah CityCare's Pulmonary Rehabilition programme and, by 2023, she was in for assessment and registered for classes.
"The classes are best time of my life. The rehabilitation by Zoe and support from my Pulmonary Rehabilitation buddies have rebuilt my confidence and I can go out and socialise. I am allowed to be human again."
John Lea, from Sherwood, Nottingham
"I’m no longer frightened, I feel more positive about the future"
Semi-retired solicitor.
John was hospitalised three times in 2019 with chest infections after many years of as a smoker. The terrifying experience of being extremely short of breath finally persuaded him to quit.
The hospital recommended pulmonary rehabilitation with Nottingham CityCare and, in his own words, it has “worked wonders”.
“I was very worried about how this self-inflicted condition was going to affect the rest of my life.
“The pulmonary rehabilitation classes taught me how to control my breathing.I learned not to panic. They also showed me the benefits of exercise – the more you can do, the better you feel and the classes were tailored to my condition and level of ability.
“Thanks to pulmonary rehabilitation I am no longer frightened about how COPD is going to affect my life, I feel much more robust and positive about the future.”