Respiratory Services

Introduction

The community respiratory service is part of the County Durham & Darlington Community Health Services specialist services directorate. Our team consists of a specialist services manager, specialist respiratory nurses, a staff nurse and assistant practitioners.

The service also employs administrators who ensure the service runs smoothly and all patient appointments are managed efficiently

The service operates across County Durham & Darlington covering all localities thus serving a wide geographical area to ensure patients have access to specialist care close to their home.

How can the community respiratory service help?

The community respiratory service is a nurse-led team who will assess, treat, monitor and review patients in a community setting with a respiratory disease.

The purpose of the team is to:-

• Provide a locally based specialist service for patients with respiratory disease.
• Offering a specialist respiratory assessment and the best treatment and nursing care suitable for your individual needs.
• Optimise treatments, providing a specialist respiratory assessment to ensure treatments prescribed are appropriate and that symptoms are adequately controlled
• Empower patients to self manage their condition by providing information for patients, carers and family members on increasing awareness and understanding of their respiratory disease
• Act as a resource to wider primary health care teams, patients and their families/carers
• Assessment, advice and support for people requiring or receiving oxygen at home
• Prevent inappropriate/unnecessary hospital admissions

Service Information

Where is the service provided from?

The service is offered in a number of localities throughout County Durham & Darlington.

There are a variety of community clinics across County Durham and a choice of clinic location is available when an appointment is booked. Alternatively, home visits will be arranged for individuals unable to attend a clinic setting. Patients will normally be contacted by letter or telephone to arrange an appointment.

When is the service provided?

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, except bank holidays.

How do people access the service?

Referrals are received from GPs, practice nurses, consultants, hospital nurses, community nurses, or any public or health service practitioner.

Community respiratory service teams

Our community respiratory service is divided into specific teams covering each locality under community health services and specialist services directorate, within Darlington Primary Care Trust and managed by:

Head of specialist services
Ken Haggerty

Specialist services manager
Joanne Johnston