Regaining independence at the heart of care

Helping people regain and maintain their independence is at the heart of what inspires Senior Physiotherapist Erin Victor each and every day.

Erin has been delivering rehabilitation programs in community settings like the Burpengary Leisure Centre and North Lakes Health Precinct for the past four and half years.

“I find that you have more control in community setting and you see so many patient success stories,” Erin said.

“Everyone who comes through our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs achieves something.

“A lot of patients get back to doing things such as playing golf, spending more time with their grandchildren, walking and gardening.

“Others reduce their oxygen levels and dependency, and have even started new hobbies like Zumba.

“Each patient is unique and have different goals based on their condition and capabilities.

“We assess their strengths and provide the appropriate cardiac or pulmonary program to suit their needs and goals.”

Each year around 400 people in the northern Moreton Bay region benefit from the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program delivered by Metro North’s Complex Chronic Disease Team at the Burpengary Leisure Centre.

“Understanding the patient’s condition and learning strategies to better manage and improve your health is essential to your health and wellbeing,” Erin said.

“Rehabilitation is one of the most important interventions for people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a cardiac condition.

“The benefits can increase physical fitness and functioning and reduce breathlessness and hospital admissions.”

The cardiac programs last for six weeks and pulmonary programs eight weeks and involve education and rehabilitation programs tailored to the client.

The cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program supports people in the regions covering Kilcoy, Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary, Bribie Island and Narangba.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are also delivered at North Lakes Health Precinct, and cardiac rehabilitation at Chermside and North Lakes with more than 1,600 patients benefiting from this unique service each year.