Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service in Trafford provides a six week group based programme of exercise and education for patients with chronic lung conditions such as COPD and lung fibrosis.

The course is designed to increase activity levels thereby reducing breathlessness, promote understanding of the illnesses and encourage active involvement in self-management of the condition/s.

Patients with chronic lung conditions such as COPD and lung fibrosis.

Provide a six week group based programme of exercise and education for patients.

1. Where are your venues based?

  • Broadheath, Altrincham
  • Urmston
  • Partington
  • Old Trafford

Please note: Partington and Old Trafford do not run all year round, please contact us on 0161 549 6750 for details.

We will allocate you to the nearest venue based on your home address and current venue waiting times, if you wish to discuss changing venues, please contact our department on 0161 549 6750.

 

2. Which days are the venues on?

  • Broadheath classes run Monday and Friday mornings
  • Urmston classes run Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

Please contact the department if you wish to discuss Partington and Old Trafford class times.

 

3. Who is the programme delivered by?

The team consists of:

  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational therapist
  • Patient support worker
  • Administrator

 

4. Is there parking at the venues?

All 4 venues have dedicated parking near the entrance to the building.

 

5. How long will I have to wait until I am seen?

Waiting times vary between venues. If you contact the department with your desired class location, we will be able to provide you with an accurate timescale.

In some cases, we may contact you if we have a late cancellation and we will try to fill the available slot. Please contact us on 0161 549 6750 for waiting time enquiries and if you would like to be considered for late cancellations.

 

6. Do you provide transport?

Unfortunately, we do not. However all our venues are accessible via public transport.

 

7. Can my partner/carer come with me?

Your partner/carer can attend the initial face to face assessment and the education sessions.

However, we do not allow partner/carers to attend whilst the exercise classes are on unless it is deemed necessary.

 

8. What will I be doing in the sessions?

You will be supervised and provided an individualised exercise programme to work on strengthening and building endurance (stamina) in your muscles.

There is also an educational element which includes discussion around:

  • Breathing techniques
  • Exercise
  • Chest infections
  • Medicine
  • Wellbeing
  • Learning about your lung condition

 

9. Will it benefit me?

A lot of research has demonstrated the many benefits of pulmonary rehab programmes, the therapist will discuss this in more detail during your assessment.

 

10. How will exercise and education improve my breathing?

In summary, we will improve how efficient and effective your muscles are currently working so you can perform activities around the house and keep active with less shortness of breath.

Education is provided to improve your confidence managing your breathlessness and improving your self-management of your overall lung condition and wellbeing.

 

11. What happens at the end of the programme?

We will discuss the multiple options available in the community we can refer or signpost you to so you can continue the progress you have made with us. This could be a in a similar exercise class, gym membership, dance class, singing or walking group for example.

 

12. How long is the programme?

You will be offered 2 sessions a week, for 6 weeks (12 sessions)

 

13. I cannot exercise due to my breathlessness, is the programme suitable for me?

You will be assessed before starting the programme and this is the opportunity for the therapist and yourself to ensure this programme is or is not suitable.

 

14. I suffer from anxiety, what support is there?

Our therapists will guide you through the programme, providing a thorough assessment and supervision during each class. We can refer to supporting services if needed.

We can also provide anxiety management in education sessions and further individual strategies can be explored with our occupational therapist.

 

15. How many people are in the class?

Our class numbers vary from 8-12 people and there will be 2-4 staff members present throughout.

 

16. What do I wear?

Suitable footwear and comfortable attire are fine.

You will be advised to bring your reading glasses (if needed) to the face-to-face assessment

 

17. I can only attend one class a week due to work/carer commitments, is this okay?

We will offer you 12 sessions, over 6 weeks,

We can offer you sessions at different venues if alternative days / times suit your needs.

 

18. I’ve received notification that I have been added to your waiting list, what happens next?

Our team will contact you by phone and letter once you reach the top of the waiting list to arrange your assessment.

 

19. I no longer wish to participate in this programme, how do I leave?

If we do not hear from you within two weeks of receiving our opt-in letter, we will assume you do not want an appointment and will discharge you from the service.

Please click here to download a copy of these FAQs [PDF approx 192KB]

Contact information

Be Active Urmston (Formerly George H Carnall Leisure Centre)
Kingsway Park
Davyhulme
M41 7FJ

Phone: 0161 549 6750

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Social Media 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TraffordPRehab
YouTube: Trafford Pulmonary Rehab

Venues and Directions

For a map/directions to Be Active, Urmston please click here [PDF 775KB]

Classes also take place at:

St Alban’s Church Hall
Lindsell Road
Broadheath
WA14 5NX

For a map/directions to St Alban’s Church please click here [PDF 772KB]

 

Partington Community Centre
Partington
Manchester
M31 4FL

Limelight Health and Well-being Hub
1 St Bride’s Way
Old Trafford
Stretford
Manchester M16 9NW

Who Can Refer To Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Any Healthcare Professional such as your GP, Practice Nurse, Respiratory Nurse or Physiotherapist can refer to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation service in Trafford provided the patient is registered with a Trafford GP. Please see the referral form for further details of inclusion / exclusion criteria.

For further information about the service, please see the Patient Information Leaflet below.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patient Information Leaflet [PDF approx 8MB]

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patient Information Leaflet webpage [Text only]

Parking Available

Fiona Woodhead

Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapist
“I qualified from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2004 and worked as a junior physiotherapist for 5 years in many clinical departments within Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

I specialised in respiratory in 2009 working in an Early Supported Discharge for COPD team at Dewsbury and District Hospital and delivering pulmonary rehabilitation programmes throughout the borough until 2012. After a couple of years as a locum I returned to pulmonary rehab in 2015 in Trafford and have been here ever since. I thoroughly enjoy seeing the positive impact rehab has on patients.”

Jonny Lee

Senior Practitioner Physiotherapist

“I joined Trafford Pulmonary Rehabilitation in 2020 following 5 years in West Yorkshire as part of the Cardiorespiratory Team, which involved delivering pulmonary rehab. Prior to this, I completed my junior rotations within East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust after qualifying as a physiotherapist in 2012.

Our service strives towards delivering the highest quality of pulmonary rehab for the residents of Trafford.”

Helen Blake

Respiratory Specialist Occupational Therapist
“I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1992 and spent much of my early career working in various rehabilitation environments.

I came to the Trafford Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team in 2018 following 12 years working in critical care and surgery.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the change from working in hospitals to working in community locations; seeing people become confident managing their conditions and improving their wellbeing is incredibly satisfying.”

Service Information

Six-week class-based programme of exercise and education for patients with chronic lung conditions.

How to refer

Referrals via Trafford Single Point of Access (SPOA)

Information last reviewed: July 2023

Page last reviewed: February 2024
Next review due: February 2025