If you are finding you’re not managing functionally with your respiratory or cardiac condition, then please ask your GP to refer you to ACERs (Adult Cardiorespiratory Enhanced and Responsive Service) who can provide a multi-disciplinary approach (Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Doctors, Nurses, Home Visits, and Psychology).
ACERs provide an oxygen service and case management. This includes support with optimising medication, virtual wards for accessing help quickly for medical intervention, managing exacerbation, help transition from hospital to home/community, and cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation.
The initial support that is recommended for cardiac and respiratory difficulties is cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. Your GP can refer you to ACERs to access these courses.
In pulmonary rehabilitation they advise on lung health, exercise: keeping fit, active, pacing, energy conservation to help improve your confidence in coping with breathlessness and other symptoms. This can help break the link with the vicious cycle of inactivity. The course lasts 6 to 8 weeks, with two sessions each week, that last 2 hours each. The group varies in size from about 8 to 16 people, and the treatment is individually tailored by physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses.
How We Help
At City & Hackney Talking Therapies, your therapist will be exploring with you how behaviours and thinking patters can impact how you feel and explore changes in these areas to improve your mood and reduce anxiety. We can help develop coping mechanisms to manage stress and potentially prevent future cardiac and respiratory events by addressing negative thought patterns and behaviours which may contribute to worsening or triggering your physical symptoms. Whilst therapy will not cure you, it can help you cope better and improve your quality of life by reducing the negative impact of depression or anxiety.
If you want to stop smoking, there is the NHS Smokefree website to access further information. You can also ask your GP to refer yourself to the smoking cessation team.
If you would like further information on respiratory difficulties, the Asthma + Lung UK website provides helpful resources and a helpline that you are welcome to access.
If you believe that a referal to our services is appropriate please use the buttons below.
Refer Yourself Refer a Client