The Integrated Respiratory Team offer a range of support services to enable patients with chronic respiratory conditions to be cared for at home where possible, rather than be admitted to hospital. When hospitalisation is needed, they work to make this is as short as possible and provide appropriate discharge support.

Their main base is in Blackbird Leys and there is a further base at the Horton where they support patients countywide. Once patients have been assessed following a referral from a GP or another healthcare professional, they can contact the team directly when they need support or become unwell.

Jo Riley, lead nurse said: “The management team are exceptionally proud of all the hard work, innovative working and dedication from every member of the team during this pandemic.  Their dedication has ensured that the exceptional level of patient care and support has continued throughout the pandemic.”

The service comprises nurses, physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, rehabilitation assistants, an assistant practitioner and administrators.  The team provide support for respiratory patients across primary and secondary care, supporting admission avoidance, early discharge, home oxygen assessment and provision of pulmonary rehabilitation as well as a relatively new programme of supporting treatment for post COVID patients.

A reviewer was “very happy to receive such excellent treatment. The nurse was friendly, explained everything clearly and was very reassuring.”

As well as offering advice about inhaler technique and managing people who require oxygen they also provide education about how important diet and exercise is alongside their illness. They also provide ongoing support to the families too as acute episodes of respiratory illness can often be frightening for relatives and carers, and our team can respond quickly to help them.

One reviewer said: “Changed my life!! I was given a new inhaler to try and overnight no longer needed my blue inhaler by my side everywhere I went. Can’t thank the team enough.”

Another service user said: “The nurse was extremely helpful and informative. She addressed all my concerns and provided me with good information and new medication which are aiding my symptoms. I am grateful for all the advice and help she provided. It was great to be treated like a person and not just a number. One happy client.”

A final reviewer said: “Without this service I would still be struggling to control and manage my asthma. From changing the way I used my inhalers, plus providing me with a ‘go to’ expert when I became ill with a chest infection, this is an invaluable part of the respiratory care package. Thank you!”