Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The pulmonary rehabilitation programme at St. Michael’s Hospital uses a holistic approach to treat individuals with respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), bronchiectasis and severe asthma by focusing on improving the physical, mental, emotional and social components of their life.

We have a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals including a respiratory physician, respiratory nurse, dietician, physiotherapist and occupational therapist on hand to assist you during the course.

Outpatient rehabilitation 

Our course is an eight week programme which runs twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (10.30am or 11.30am). Both days consist of group exercise classes with an additional hour of education on a Thursday. Education will cover a range of topics including disease pathophysiology, medication, nutrition, energy conservation, smoking cessation, stress and breathlessness management, exercise training and airway clearance.

Pending appropriate referral, participants will be assessed pre and post rehabilitation to determine suitability and to assess benefits gained. A home exercise program and diary will also be provided so that participants continue to exercise at home during the duration of the program. These exercises should be continued once the course has ended to provide maintenance of benefits gained.

Useful contact information

• Heads of Department/Medical Director/Consultant Respiratory Physician – Prof. Tim McDonnell
• Acting Pulmonary Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator/ Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist – Philip Tonge
• tel: (01) 663 9832
• email: P.Tonge@stmichaels.ie

Referral information

Initially, patients should be referred by the respiratory physician who has performed a thorough examination before referral to the pulmonary rehabilitation coordinator.