16 April 2018

The topic this week was ‘Pot Luck’ as we did not have a formal presenter, however we did have the pleasure of being joined by Lead Physiotherapist, Rowan Mitcham, who told the group about the Pulmonary Rehabilitation groups he and his team have set up and run across the region.

The team have 3 sites across Wandsworth, based at St George’s Hospital, Wandle Recreation Centre and Latchmere Leisure Centre (+ Queen Mary’s Roehamption). Rowan explained that the courses consist of an eight-week exercise and education programme that takes place twice a week, in line with NICE and BTS guidelines.

Rowan welcomes enquiries and referrals from the Respiratory team, general practitioners, therapists and PCT practice nurses. If you are interested in enrolling on a course, please be aware that St Georges PR is over subscribed, with a waiting list for assessment of 4 weeks, with course enrolment commencing 6 weeks following assessment.

Select the following link to download a copy of the PR referral form.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Referral Form (Word)

The group also received an update from John Conway, patient representative, on the ‘Taskforce For Lung Health‘. The main take away point from the update, and requiring further action for the group, was to submit our own experiences and those of carers to the Taskforce’s ‘Call for Evidence‘, which can be submitted online at the following link.

https://www.blf.org.uk/taskforce/evidence/living-with-lung-condition

NOTE: The closing date is 27th April 2018, so do get your submissions in on time to help influence the 5-year strategy for improving the nation’s lung health.

Looking forward to seeing you all at next months meeting, we may even have some cake to celebrate the end of winter…. at last!