Respiratory service providing lifeline for Downpatrick woman

Respiratory service providing lifeline for Downpatrick woman

25 June 2025

A DOWNPATRICK woman has praised a vital respiratory service offered locally which she has described as a “lifeline”.

Jan Daly said while it can be hard to socialise with breathlessness, which also makes conversation challenging, it’s good to be able to socialise with others battled the same condition.

The local woman attends pulmonary rehabilitation class in the Ballymote Health and Well Being Centre facilitated by the South Eastern Trust.

The programme has been offered to patients with an underlying lung condition such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchiectasis or Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) since 2002 and is aimed at improving exercise tolerance and knowledge around lung disease.

In addition, the programmes are designed to encourage the ability of patients to self-manage their symptoms, together with the support of their local respiratory team, GP and practice nurse.

Classes are held by respiratory physiotherapists, nurses and respiratory assistants, who monitor the patient’s oxygen levels and heart rates at the beginning and end of each session.

They are also able to assist patients if there are any concerns during the class.

The exercises are specifically designed for people with lung disease who experience symptoms of breathlessness.

The programme runs for a period of six weeks and patients attend twice weekly for a gradually progressive exercise programme. One session each week also incorporates a short educational awareness session, based on a particular aspect of the condition.

Jan said she has been attending the class for the past year and is very well supported by the respiratory physiotherapists. 

“It is difficult to self-motivate, especially with oxygen, so the supervision from the respiratory physiotherapists gives me confidence to be able to get on with life and do things at home,” he explained.

“By coming to the class I am able to chat to people with similar conditions and exchange experiences. We chat about devices which can make life easier when living with our conditions.”

Jan said the class is so important to people like her who find it difficult to self-motivate. 

“It’s nice to meet people and I’ve enjoyed seeing the progress and I’ve lost my bingo wings,” she laughed. 

Respiratory physiotherapist team lead Kate Goodman said the classes are set up to improve the patients’ exercise tolerance and to help with their breathlessness and increase their muscular strength and endurance. 

“There are psychological benefits as well such as meeting with others, that sense of inclusion as some of our patients can be house bound. By coming to the class it’s a way to improve the patients’ self-confidence and create a sense of community.”

Kate added: “As a physiotherapist, it is our aim to get people moving more and to help with their condition. 

“Having that supervision with the pulmonary rehabilitation classes is giving those who attend that bit more confidence and that is great.”