The Respiratory Care Team provides specialist assessment and case management for patients with long-term respiratory conditions, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

About us

The Respiratory Care Team provides specialist assessment and case management for patients with long-term respiratory conditions, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

The aims of the service are to:

  • maintain or reduce symptoms
  • improve functional performance
  • increase patient and carer education to promote self-management
  • reduce the risk of exacerbations
  • help minimise the impact of their condition & maximise quality of life
  • reduce use of unplanned care, including emergency admissions or re-admissions

The service includes:

  • regular reviews; full respiratory assessment, spirometry, inhaler / medication advice, oxygen screening, self-management advice (the frequency of reviews is dependent on severity and stability of your respiratory condition)
  • exacerbation support, working alongside the Richmond Response and Rehabilitation Team with admission avoidance
  • post-hospital discharge reviews
  • outpatient clinics at Centre House and Teddington Health & Social Care Centre
  • home visits for housebound patients
  • pulmonary rehabilitation classes at Teddington Memorial Hospital and Richmond Rehab Unit
  • BREATH education sessions for all newly diagnosed COPD patients
  • home oxygen service assessment and review

Useful links

Asthma and Lung UK promotes lung health and supports people with lung disease.

Referrals

All referrals to the team should be made using the Single Point of access referral form through the Single Point of Access service.

Referral criteria

This service is for patients:

  • who are aged 18 and over
  • who are registered with a GP within the NHS Richmond CCG area
  • who have a diagnosed long-term respiratory condition – including COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis

Exclusion criteria

  • Breathless patients without confirmed respiratory diagnosis
  • Asthma
  • Non-respiratory home oxygen (should be reviewed by the healthcare professional who completed initial oxygen prescription)