Respiratory

The Coronavirus pandemic has created a challenging environment in which to deliver care to patients with respiratory disease. 

Initial consultations for new referrals will be provided virtually, wherever possible.  We are continuing to offer face to face appointments for oxygen assessments.

When attending the clinic customers are asked to: 

• Please arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• On arrival, wait in the car park until you are contacted by a member of the team.
• When entering the clinic building please wear a facial covering, unless exempt. Masks and sanitiser will be available if needed.
• The waiting area should only be used by users attending an appointment.
• Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms indicative of Covid-19.

The service continues to do all we can to address any delays experienced by our customers and would like to thank you for your continued patience.

NB: We are unable to offer Spirometry or chest physiotherapy as these are aerosol-generating.  

Eligibility criteria

Adults (18+) who are registered with a GP in the NHS Mid Essex area and have a chronic respiratory condition.

Exclusions

We are not able to treat patients with acute asthma or lung cancer.

Service details

We provide an oxygen assessment service, and care and support for people with:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Bronchiectasis
• Hyperventilation syndrome
• Dysfunctional breathing
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Chronic asthma
• Some patients awaiting a lung transplant

We offer these treatments:

• A self-management programme: for patients with pulmonary disease.
• A rapid response: same-day visits on weekdays to patients whose condition deteriorates. The aim is to provide treatment at home to avoid the need to go to hospital.
• Oxygen therapy assessment.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: includes an exercise programme, education and nutrition advice to help improve the independence of people with lung disease.
• Palliative care.
• Telehealth service: includes a self-monitoring system which checks your blood pressure, oxygen saturations and changes to your breathing pattern.

Our team includes respiratory and oxygen assessment nurses, physiotherapists, healthcare support workers and admin staff. We work closely with various other healthcare professionals, such as GPs, respiratory consultants, hospital and community teams.

Service delivery

Clinics run at various times Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, at the following locations:

• Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
• St Michael's Hospital, Braintree
• St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon
• Halstead Hospital

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is run at various times Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, at these locations:

• St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon
• Braintree Sports Centre Tabor School, Braintree
• Springfield Parish Centre, Chelmsford 

Breathe Easy groups run as follows:

• Braintree: third Thursday of every month, 2 to 4pm at Braintree Baptist Church, Blythe Meadow, Coggeshall Road, Braintree CM7 3DA

Our Rapid Response service operates in patients’ homes Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, including bank holidays.

Our office is based at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

Referral process

You must be referred by a healthcare professional, such as a GP, respiratory consultant or physiotherapist. Unless you've been treated by us before. Then you can refer yourself by calling us on the number in the contacts box on this page.

Waiting times

The average waiting time is six weeks from referral. If your referral is urgent you will usually be seen on the day of referral.

Customer survey results

• 100% said they were treated with respect and dignity.
• 100% said they had confidence in the healthcare professional they saw.
• 100% said the clinic was clean.
• 100% said the transport service was helpful.
• 99% said their appointment time was convenient.
• 99% said they understood what was said to them.