The Hope Specialist Respiratory Service is a referral service from a GP, consultant or other health practitioner for people who have been diagnosed with a chronic lung condition such as Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema or Pulmonary Fibrosis.

After completing our programmes, people tell us that they are able to walk further and feel more confident about managing their health issues, such as shortness of breath.

They are also able to resume the activities of daily living that many take for granted, such as shopping, gardening, playing with grandchildren, going upstairs, walking the dog and dancing.

What can we offer?

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme

This is an eight-week, twice-weekly programme of tailored exercise and education delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of clinical staff and expert volunteers (the Pulmonary Rehab Buddies). The programme is delivered at the Val Waterhouse Centre and Centre4 in the gym, but we also offer the option of Remote Rehab via Zoom for patients who do not feel able to participate in face-to-face group sessions.

Early Rehab (Post Exacerbation Fast Track) Programme

This programme is for patients newly discharged from the hospital, who have a diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease. You should be provided with information about our Early Rehab service by hospital staff, and if you consent to a referral to our service, within a couple of days of your discharge from the hospital, we will see you at home to start your rehabilitation. We will work with you, tailoring our intervention to your specific needs.

If appropriate, you will be offered either a Home Rehab programme or a place on a twice-weekly, eight-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme. Depending on what is most appropriate for you as an individual, you may be offered either a gym-based programme or Remote Early Rehab, which is delivered to you in your own home via Zoom.

Special Physiotherapist Led Clinics

• Respiratory assessments
• Quality of life assessments
• Inhaler technique review
• Acupuncture and Acupressure
• Hyperventilation Syndrome management

The Respiratory Service also provides:

• Home visits, assessments and rehabilitation
• Onward referral, where appropriate, for mental health support.

“I loved coming. Everyone was very welcoming, nice and considerate, nothing was too much trouble.”

Our volunteer Buddies make all the difference

Essential to the success of our service are our fantastic volunteers, the majority of whom have been through our programme and suffer from a chronic respiratory disease themselves.

Our Volunteer Buddies act as an extra pair of eyes and ears in rehabilitation sessions and also act as positive role models who can offer support and motivation for people going through what they have already been through.

Support after you have completed your programme

There is the opportunity to attend a weekly maintenance session (Rehab Plus) for up to 12 weeks, once you’ve completed your programme.

There are also other activities you can join, including the HOPE Choir (details below), who meet regularly.

HOPE Singers

Originally formed in 2013 to help people with chronic lung conditions, the choir now accepts patients who have completed a Falls or Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme as well as volunteers.

Singing helps to improve diaphragmatic breathing, reduce breathlessness and feelings of breathlessness. Singing together as a group also improves quality of life by reducing anxiety, depression and social isolation. It also increases overall health and well-being. (Asthma and Lung UK, 2023)

Members of Hope Singers find it to be a lifeline from social exclusion and find that it has a huge positive impact on their physical and mental health.

If you enjoy singing and would like more information on the choir, please contact Claire Lewis on 01472 313400.

The choir meets every Wednesday at Open Door, Albion Street, Grimsby DN32 7DL 10.00am – 11.30am. It is a free activity. (Please contact Claire first, as sometimes Hope Singers are out and about giving performances in the community.)