Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy Team
There is a team of specialist Physiotherapists working at the centre See Photo
Senior Physiotherapists in Cystic Fibrosis
Aruna Kailey
Jocelyn Barrett
Sarah Cameron
Victoria Carrolan
Joanne Lee
Rotational Senior Physiotherapists
Catherine Miller
Kerry Massey
Physiotherapy Treatment in CF
Chest physiotherapy plays a key role in the overall respiratory management of CF. The aim being to provide each patient with an individual physiotherapy programme which enables them to keep the lungs clear of secretions thereby lessening the risk of infection and subsequent lung damage. Advice is also provided regarding suitable exercise programmes. The physiotherapy team provides care to both inpatients and outpatients attending clinics.
The CF physiotherapist's role has many core elements which include:
Assessment and modification of airway clearance techniques (these may include: Autogenic Drainage (AD), Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT), Percussion, Acapella, Flutter, PEP masks, Incentive Spirometry or Cornet)
Provision, replacement and instruction on equipment such as air-compressors to nebulise drugs
Responsibility for overall nebuliser management within CF - initiation of new drugs such as nebulised Colomycin and TOBI
Initiation and/or monitoring of patients that are using Non-Invasive Ventilation within normal working hours (the on-call physiotherapy team undertakes this role out of hours)
Education of physiotherapists, healthcare professionals and students
The Exercise Start Up Programme
The Exercise Start Up programme was designed specifically for adults with Cystic Fibrosis, to guide them through a personal exercise programme.
The aim is for you to achieve your physical goals - be it toning up or improving fitness. Ultimately we want to increase your confidence to comfortably exercise in a community gym or leisure centre. You will also learn how your body works and the role diet and exercise plays in helping control important aspects of your everyday life.
The programme includes 8 sessions over one month on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Each appointment lasts an hour and starts at either 4.30, 5.30 or 6.30. Each appointment comprises an educational component plus an exercise training session.
One of our patients, Emma (pictured above with physiotherapist Kerry Massey) attended the Start Up programme earlier this year. She really enjoyed the sessions and had a big improvement in her lung function and exercise tolerance"The Start Up programme gave me the confidence to exercise and I felt much more motivated. I now walk the dog every day which I couldn't do before and have even noticed that going up the stairs is much less of an effort. I would definitely recommend the programme and have even asked to take part again later this year."
If you would like more information about the Start Up programme please discuss this with the physiotherapists in clinic or telephone us on 0121 424 1780.
