A Breathlessness service has been launched at Wareham Hospital, hosted by Lewis-Manning’s Breathlessness team, which includes Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapist, Louise Hopley and Specialist Occupational Therapist, Anna Lambert.
Director of Clinical Services, Hayley Bonner advised, “The hospice’s expansion of the Breathlessness service is fantastic to see, we’ve had an outpouring from the community for a desperate need for this service. We are thrilled to be offering this service in Wareham, as part of our current strategy is to bring hospice care ‘closer to home’. It’s fantastic that we can do exactly that for patients who really value the ease of getting to a close by clinic, but with the same expert and friendly staff that they would see in our Poole hospice.”
Louise said, “The service will be run out of Wareham hospital on a Wednesday, with regular appointments available to patients needing help and support with their life-limiting condition.
“Breathlessness can be frightening. We help people with conditions, such as heart failure, COPD and lung cancer who struggle with breathlessness. The service is very patient centred – it is about listening to each person’s journey and their individual experience of breathlessness and how it impacts their lives. The assessment is an opportunity for me to learn about what coping strategies the individual already uses and together we look at other ways to help, such as breathing techniques, positions to ease breathlessness, and fan therapy.”
The organisation was delighted that Maggie Hardy from the Wareham Hospital Friends was in attendance of the launch, as well as NHS district nurses and clinicians from the local area, in addition to staff members and Lewis-Manning Trustee, Ian Marshall.
To access the service, patients need to be registered with a GP surgery and any healthcare professional directly link to your care can refer you to the Breathlessness service. For further information you can call: 01202 708470 and ask to speak to our Breathlessness Team or visit Lewis-Manning’s website today.