The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is an evidence-based exercise and education program designed for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions. The aim of the program is to help people with airways limitations increase their level of activity, confidence in exercise and promote improved independence for the person in the home setting. The program also aims to minimise frequency of hospitalisation and length of hospital stay.

Programs are twice weekly and run for 8 weeks in the Wollongong Hospital Physiotherapy Department, Block C, Level 5:

Maintenance program

Once the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is completed, patients can then attend a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Maintenance Program. This program is ideal for patients who have had a recent admission to hospital. This program is also run at Wollongong Hospital on Tuesdays 9:00-10:30am and 10:30am-12:00pm.

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of respiratory condition including:

  • COPD
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Pre/post-transplant
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

• Motivation to attend program twice weekly for 8 weeks to improve exercise tolerance

• Experience breathlessness in their day to day life

• Stable cardiac function (e.g. AF and angina well controlled)

• Cognitively sound.

Assessment

Patients will be contacted by the Physiotherapist/CNC a few weeks prior to course commencement for an assessment. Assessments are completed by a Respiratory Nurse or Physiotherapist.

NOTE: Participants need to be able to attend the program on both days.