KSS AHSN has launched a new project to support the accreditation of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) services across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
The initiative sees us working in partnership with the NHS South East Clinical Network to support Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service Accreditation, provided by the Royal College of Physicians PRSAS scheme.
Ellie Wells, Programme Manager at KSS AHSN, said: “Pulmonary rehabilitation, a structured exercise and education programme, is a great low-cost, high-impact intervention. Expansion of PR services is one of the key respiratory commitments of the NHS Long Term Plan.” “We are the first AHSN to take this approach, and we hope to be the first fully accredited region in the country!”
Evidence shows that accessing PR improves people’s ability to walk further, helps them feel less tired and breathless when carrying out day-to-day activities. 90 per cent of patients who complete a PR programme have higher activity and exercise levels, and report an improved quality of life.
NHS England and NHS Improvement aims to increase the number of patients who would benefit by increasing referral rates to PR from 13% to 60% by 2023.
The NHS Long Term Plan has provided a focus on improving uptake to Pulmonary Rehabilitation services and enabling services to demonstrate the quality of service provision.
