Breathlessness intervention service

Introduction

Breathing problems are very common in people who have heart and lung conditions, or some types of cancer. Breathlessness can be disabling, frightening and distressing for all those concerned. This leaflet is to explain how the Breathlessness Intervention Service can help.

Who is the Breathlessness Intervention Service for?

The Breathlessness Intervention Service is for patients who:

• are troubled by breathlessness due to their condition
• are having treatment for their breathlessness
• may benefit from a self-help programme in order to manage their breathlessness

What is the Breathlessness Intervention Service?

The Breathlessness Intervention Service began in 2004. The team includes a consultant in palliative medicine, specialist occupational therapist and physiotherapists, and is supported by a clinical psychologist.

The Breathlessness Intervention Service can see families in their own home, or in clinic. We offer a variety of solutions that can help patients and their families live more easily with their breathing problems.

What will happen?

Contacts and further information

• If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us at your appointment, or ring the office on 01223 349325.
• If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service, do discuss this with us - and you can always contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) staff at Addenbrooke's for help and information on 01223 216756.

The service sometimes does research to make sure what we do is useful. You may be asked to take part in such research - but you can say no and your treatment will not be affected at all.