Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The pulmonary rehabilitation service provides an integrated education and exercise program for clients with a pulmonary diagnosis who are medically stable and would benefit from group-based exercise sessions. Client groups include COPD, Bronchiectasis, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis or pre transplant.

The program

This program is conducted over 8 weeks and includes the following:

Exercise program – once or twice weekly in a gym setting or via telehealth in the client’s own home*
Education program – varying topics related to health, diet and fitness
Access to multidisciplinary allied health team for identified needs/goals (as per Complex Needs Service)

* Clients will be assessed for suitability for home based virtual care delivery and only offered this option if clinically appropriate

Patient eligibility

Client groups include those who have a diagnosis of:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Bronchiectasis
- Interstitial lung disease or Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
or
- Clients being considered for lung transplant.
or
- Clients recovering from an acute exacerbation of their condition.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Refer your patient

Referrals are accepted from hospitals, General Practitioners and other Queensland Health community services, please:

use GP referral system for GPs, or
complete a paper referral form if you are an external referrer, including other HHS employees and fax to 3360 4822 or call CRU on 1300 658 252

For all referrals, please attach recent investigations and clinical assessments

Exclusion Criteria

Referrals are not accepted for clients who have completed a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program in the past year or post-acute general respiratory illness (e.g. pneumonia without a history of COPD or chronic respiratory condition).

Out of catchment

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

Clinical Modifiers (where relevant)

Impact on employment
Impact on education
Impact on home
Impact on activities of daily living
Impact on ability to care for others
Impact on personal frailty or safety
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Reason for Referral (essential)

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Clinical Information (essential)

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use