Patient Story: Michael
Michael has completed Pulmonary Rehab at Temora Hospital. He was a regular attendee of the group, travelling near 40km from Ariah Park to participate and help better manage his COPD.
Michael has completed Pulmonary Rehab at Temora Hospital. He was a regular attendee of the group, travelling near 40km from Ariah Park to participate and help better manage his COPD.
Initially, Michael identified that even walking to the end of the street was effortful and was faced with having to retire from work due to struggles with environmental dust and shortness of breath.
Throughout pulmonary rehab, Michael was linked in with the respiratory nursing staff and provided with education on how to better manage his inhalers, and independently sourced a COPD Action plan with his GP.
Michael recently completed his final outcome measures, where he made large improvements on his 6 minute walk test, CAT and EQ-5D-5L.
Michael has since been empowered to assist others in the community struggling with lung conditions and motivation. As a result, he has created a walking group at Ariah Park where up to 8 members of the community attend and walk up to 5km once a week. He reports even educating people about the BORG scale and how it helps to pace yourself when struggling with breathlessness.
Due to the popularity of the group, Michael is now in the process of starting up a second group! Go Michael!!
New Virtual Respiratory Hospital in the Home (HITH) available for patients in Wagga Wagga
Do you have a patient with acute or subacute respiratory illness who requires daily medical review but can otherwise manage at home?
Do you have a patient with acute or subacute respiratory illness who requires daily medical review but can otherwise manage at home?
The Virtual Respiratory Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides General Practitioners an alternative management pathway for patients with acute or subacute respiratory illness who may benefit from daily medical review and management within their home.
Based on GP referral, HITH provides Virtual Consultations with patients including home Risk Assessments, Education & Self-Assessment tools.
Daily reviews with patients can be virtual or face to face allowing for: observations, monitoring of symptoms, pathology/sputum collection, comprehensive patient centred care, and escalation of care as required.
Upon discharge, HITH provides the GP with a discharge plan including scripts/medical certificates. Patients are encouraged to book a follow up appointment with their GP.
For advice and referral contact: Virtual Respiratory HiTH Nurse 0459 807 637 Email: MLHD-Wagga-HITH@health.nsw.gov.au
Patient story
During a recent admission to the virtual HITH service, Michelle* a 51-year-old female with known COPD, Emphysema and Asthma received a management plan and was educated on how to take her own observations. She received daily virtual assessments by a respiratory nurse.
Michelle* described her experience of the Virtual HITH service as much better than staying in hospital. The nurse stayed connected everyday with a video link or a phone call, and Michelle* felt she ‘most certainly’ received the same level of care as she would in hospital.
Following her discharge from VHiTH, she attended the public Respiratory Clinic in Wagga. Michelle* said she now feels more confident to stay at home and manage her condition – she can identify when she is feeling unwell and knows when to act and is even thinking about trying to quit smoking.
* Name changed.
Marathon Health Pulmonary and Chronic Cardiac Exercise and Education Program
Marathon Health in partnership with Back on Track Physiotherapy are offering a free 8-week Pulmonary and Chronic Cardiac Rehabilitation (PCCR) program.
Marathon Health in partnership with Back on Track Physiotherapy are offering a free 8-week Pulmonary and Chronic Cardiac Rehabilitation (PCCR) program designed to support an improved quality of life for people living with a chronic respiratory condition or CHF and reduce their likelihood of associated hospital admissions.
The program offers patient-centred therapy with a focus on small group exercise and education sessions, with other services sometimes available on a case-by-case basis.
Do you have an eligible patient?
People who are living with a chronic respiratory condition or CHF.
Located within travelling distance to the centre where the program is delivered.
How do I refer?
Please complete the referral form and email to pccr@marathonhealth.com.au
If you need help with the referral, please call 1300 418 223
Program dates
Junee – July to September 2024
Leeton – October to November 2024
Lake Cargelligo – February to March 2025
Hay – April to May 2025