Press Release
Friday 8th July 2011
Innovative rehab service launched to
improve quality of life for patients
Improving people’s quality of life and reducing hospital admission rates are just two of the anticipated
benefits of a new service introduced by NHS Western Isles.
The Board recently launched a new Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Rehabilitation
Service to proactively target COPD, which is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality within
Scotland and currently accounts for more than 10 per cent of all acute hospital admissions and 30,000
deaths annually in Scotland and the UK.
In the Western Isles there are over 400 people with COPD and 200 people who could potentially benefit
from COPD Rehabilitation. The first phase of the new service development is the establishment of a
COPD Rehabilitation ‘Hub’ at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, with telehealth links to NHS
Tayside’s Rehabilitation Team for additional support. The intention is that ‘satellite’ services will be
introduced in the Uists and Barra at a later date.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is essentially class based programmes which enable those with respiratory
conditions to learn to manage their own health/ill health, day to day in their home environment, where
possible. Classes are comprehensive multidisciplinary programmes of exercise and education. The
demographic profile in the Western Isles, coupled with the rising number of Long Term Conditions (one
of which is COPD), indicates that the demand for Pulmonary Rehabilitation will continue to increase.
Respiratory Liaison Nurse Pauline Morrison stated: “All the evidence strongly suggests that pulmonary
rehabilitation is very beneficial for appropriately referred patients. The benefits include clinical benefits,
reduced admission to hospital rates and improved quality of life. It also empowers patients to manage
their own conditions.”
There are currently six participants on the programme, and clients can be referred through the
Respiratory Consultant, their GP or through the Respiratory Liaison Nurse.
Allison Martin, who was recently appointed as Rehabilitation Physiotherapist to support the new service,
explained: “The programme takes place over eight weeks, and consists of two one-hour sessions a
week, together with an hour of education/informal group chats over a cup of tea. The exercise
programme is tailored to each client’s individual needs to improve symptoms and quality of life and help
individuals to self manage their disease as effectively as possible.”
Press Release
Exercise classes start with stretches and a ‘warm up’, followed by light exercises in a ‘circuit’ format to
help develop functional exercise capacity, improve health status, and reduce breathlessness. The
educational element is provided by a variety of professionals who are specialists in their area. Feedback
to date has been very positive.
Cameron MacLeay, who recently started the programme, commented: “So far it’s been very good. It’s a
very balanced programme and they have it very well worked out. I’m still at a very early stage in the
programme but I think it’s going to be worthwhile.”
Phil Tilley, Deputy Head of Planning and Development and Chairman of the Respiratory Managed
Clinical Network said, “A lot of hard work has been undertaken over the past year to ensure our
readiness to deliver this new service. The successful launch is due to partnership working with other
Boards in Scotland and with the involvement of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth. Much of the credit is
due to our own staff who have undertaken new training over weeks and months, in some cases and to
the determination of our Respiratory Liaison Nurse and Rehabilitation Physiotherapist.”
Caption: Pictured are Respiratory Liaison Nurse Pauline Morrison; one of the current clients on
the programme, Cameron MacLeay; and Rehabilitation Physiotherapist, Allison Martin.
For further information, contact
Maggie Fraser
Communications Manager
01851 708060
07810527457
Press Releases/COPD/July 2011
NHS Western Isles Press Release
“The best at what we do”
NHS Western Isles will work actively with patients, the public and our partners to improve our community's health and wellbeing, to
tackle inequalities, and to deliver high quality, reliable clinical services.
"SÀR-MHATH AIR NA THA SINN A'COILIONADH"
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maitheas ar coimhearsnachd, gu neo-ionannachd a sheachnadh, agus
gu seirbhisean chlionaigeach a tha earbsach agus aig àrd-inbhe a lìbhrigeadh.