Three awards for our top team
Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service won three awards at the Celebrating Advanced Practice in Kent and Medway Conference, following work to develop a walking test for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
Improvements made to the test have resulted in patients having a faster and better recovery, with physiotherapists now being able to get a more precise and accurate measurement of a patient’s fitness and ability — allowing them to prescribe exercise plans which meet an individual’s specific needs.
It was mainly work on improving the test and the service getting national accreditation, which led to the team winning the awards for clinical excellence, research and for having the best poster.
Head of Service Pramod Selkar said: “As a team, we meet the expectations of our patients and we look after our staff health and well-being. We are flexible and approachable and we listen to our patients and our colleagues.
“I am so proud of all staff members. Everyone works well to maintain and provide a quality service. We are very special”.
Clinical Services Manager Natalie Wanstall added: “This is another fantastic achievement for the team and really shows how they are putting quality as a top priority when delivering excellent patient care. The team’s motivation and drive really shines through and to win these awards is a wonderful recognition of this. Well done to everyone involved. #KCHFTPROUD.”
The event was organised by the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board.
The team were also winners in the South East Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Forum Transformation Awards, in February (2023).
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust consists of a team off highly experienced chartered physiotherapists, specialist rehabilitation assistants and respiratory counsellors.
The service offers a tailored programme of exercise for people with moderate to severe lung disease, which aims to improve exercise tolerance, reduce symptoms and a patient’s disability. The idea is to improve a person’s quality of life and help them manage their condition.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an evidence-based treatment for specific chronic respiratory diseases. It includes exercise and extensive education which is open to patients, as well as partners and carers.
More on the new and improved shuttle walking test on our quality improvement website
