10-year landmark for Llandough unit (From Penarth Times)

10-year landmark for Llandough unit

11:37am Thursday 26th October 2006

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THE PULMONARY Rehab-ilitation Unit at Llandough Hospital is 10 years old this month.

Set up in 1996, the unit was the first of its kind in Wales and one of very few across the UK at that time.

Over the last ten years it has been led and run by the late Dr Tim Griffiths of Penarth - and it has been outstandingly successful in its ability to improve the quality of life, exercise performance, breathlessness and self-esteem in patients with chronic lung disease.

Since starting in 1996, more than 1,400 patients have completed the rehabilitation course which helps patients with chronic lung diseases.

The majority of patients who use the unit have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but some suffer from either lung fibrosis or bronchiectasis.

All these conditions tend to cause progressive breathlessness, cough, wheeze and production of phlegm.

"There are several different components of the scheme," said Dr Charlotte Bolton, currently a locum Chest Consultant at Llandough Hospital.

"Over a six-week period, patients attend 18 two-hour sessions and participate in exercise, relaxation, educational topics and dietary advice. This requires the input of several different healthcare professions - such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, nursing and medical care.

"Patients who benefit are those who are suffering from a decline in their physical function, due to breathlessness. Everyday activities, such as shopping, cleaning or working, or even maintaining an independent lifestyle can become very difficult.

"Some patients stop doing hobbies, like gardening, and become socially isolated. At the end of the course, they can carry out these activities with much more ease and their quality of life is greatly improved. In addition, they have more control of both their disease and medication.

"Sadly, Dr Griffiths passed away in June of this year, which was a huge personal and professional loss to the team," she added. "Throughout his ten year involvement in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Dr Griffiths led several pioneering studies, which have significantly contributed to the success of pulmonary rehabilitation courses across Europe and worldwide.

"The rehabilitation course has resulted in numerous health improvements for patients, both short and long term, and has also improved the cost effectiveness of respiratory services."

Respiratory specialists fear the success of the rehabilitation unit at Llandough is not being reflected across the country.

However, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust's focus on the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation will ensure that patients in the area will continue to benefit from this vital service for years to come.

Dr Bolton said: "Over the last ten years, more hospitals have developed pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, but still only about 60 per cent provide a service.

"It is worrying that only about half of these have secured NHS funding, and many can only provide a service for 50 patients per year or for only one session per week.

"These figures from the British Lung Foundation suggest that less than two percent of patients with COPD have access to pulmonary rehabilitation in the UK.

"It is a tribute to Dr Tim Griffiths that Pulmonary Rehabilitation continues to provide a high quality service to patients, not only in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, but also surrounding towns."

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