Our service is patient centred and focuses on improving the quality of life for respiratory patients.
Urgent advice: Covid-19 - Respiratory
Individuals with chronic lung conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis and asthma are more at risk of the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).
To help reduce risk:
- All non-urgent lung function testing has been cancelled
- All non-urgent face to face clinic appointments will take place via telephone
Please keep your clinic appointment time free, and you will be called by one of the clinical team within a three hour window of your original appointment time.
You should follow current government advice on self-isolation. If you become unwell with a cough and/or fever, we advise that you follow your standard plan for exacerbation (infection) management including:
- Continuing your standard medicines
- If applicable, follow the advice from your previously discussed management plan. This may include commencing antibiotics, nebulisers or steroids. If you fail to improve, please seek medical attention.
- If you usually have a standby course of medications, ensure you have these available.
The respiratory team cannot arrange testing for COVID-19, which is undertaken as per national directives.
For some patients e.g. those with severe asthma receiving biological therapy, the specialist team will inform you on the transition to “home care.”
We thank you for your patience during this time; we will update you all when new information is available.
The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Service at Addenbrookes is a multidisciplinary team consisting of Respiratory Consultants, Specialist Nurses and Specialist Physiotherapists who work closely with the Community Respiratory Team to provide specialist management, comprehensive care and support for people living with COPD and other respiratory conditions.
We are able to assess and optimise your lung condition in order to improve your quality of life. It may be necessary to have further appointments for lung function tests, x-rays, CT scans, an echo-cardiogram or bloods.
Your appointment
The specialist nurses see you at a clinic appointment to discuss your COPD, and advise on the best treatment and potential management options. They will assess your oxygen at rest and when mobilising and decide whether you need oxygen at home. The nurses can install and monitor this in your home.
The nurse specialist team may be able to offer an Early Supported Discharge to patients who are admitted with a flare up of their COPD. This means the nurse can visit you at home and assess you.
While in clinic it might be necessary for you to see the respiratory physiotherapist who will discuss breathing techniques, methods to help clear phlegm and appropriate exercises. They can also offer advice on using home non-invasive ventilation if required.
In addition, Addenbrookes is the regional service for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Disease and Hyperinflation.
Early supported discharge
Early supported discharge and admission avoidance is a service that allows people with COPD who have a flare up of their chest to be managed at home by the Acute Respiratory Team (ART). If you are admitted you will need to be assessed on the ward to see if this service is suitable to manage your needs.
How does it work?
We will visit you at home and phone you at home depending on your clinical need during the flare up of your chest. If a nebuliser is required then the team can lend you one for a short period of time. If temporary oxygen is needed while at rest or moving then this can be installed and reviewed at your home.
